Tuesday, September 16, 2008

IRGC Commanding Iran’s Defense of Persian Gulf

From PressTV:

Senior advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution says the responsibility of Persian Gulf defense has been handed over to the IRGC.

According to recent decisions, Iran's Army will take control of the Oman and Caspian Seas, said former commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Yahya Rahim-Safavi.

The former top military commander reiterated that IRGC missiles can hit any target across the width of the Persian Gulf and that all gunboats are within their range.

The senior official gave assurances that the Iranian armed forces, with advanced defense equipment, including missile resources and land and naval forces can control the Strait of Hormuz.

The Iranian military forces, comprised of the IRGC, army and Basij are completely prepared to confront any foreign threat against the country, he added.

The former top military commander played down Israel's military threats and ability to wage a war against Iran. “The Israeli regime lacks the necessary political, economic and social capabilities to enter a big war in the region,” Rahim-Savafi stated.


Also from Press TV:

An advisor to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution says it is natural for Iran to feel threatened, as it is surrounded by insecurity.

"It is only natural for Iran to feel threatened and organize military exercises," Major General Yahya Rahim-Safavi told Press TV on Tuesday.

The former Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) commander was referring to the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan and foreign military presence in the Persian Gulf.

Maj. Gen. Rahim-Safavi said the frequency of Iranian military maneuvers should not alarm neighboring countries, as they are lesser in number in comparison to military exercises carried out by supra-regional forces in the Middle East.

"We pose no threat to our neighbors. The military presence of certain Western countries in the region is the real cause for concern," he said.

Maj. Gen. Rahim-Safavi said unlike some regional states, namely the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, which have spent billions of dollars on purchasing weapons from the US, Iran has not allocated extensive funds for this purpose.

The former IRGC commander added that a military pact between regional states is the only means of ensuring security in the Persian Gulf.

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