TABNAK, Nov, 20 : "We are not looking for the expansion of the war, but we will defend ourselves authoritatively and we will definitely implement True Promise III Operation,” he said.
Major General Rezaei referred to the ongoing regional developments, and said, “Israel seeks its existence and realizing its dreams in the region. America's goal is to restore its power and hegemony. The current war is war on oil, gas and resources of the Middle East. For them the war determines their destiny.”
Last Thursday, the commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Hossein Salami affirming Iran's commitment to defend Muslims against the Israeli regime, asserted, “We will fight relentlessly and will not let you dictate the fate of Muslims.”
Since October 2023, West Asia has witnessed escalating Israeli violence, which has devastated Gaza, led to the displacement of thousands in Lebanon, and resulted in over 46,000 civilian casualties.
In response to the Israeli assassination of key Resistance figures including Hamas Leader Ismail Haniyeh, Hezbollah Secretary General Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, and the IRGC commander Abbas Nilforoushan, Iran initiated a substantial counter-offensive on October 1, launching approximately 200 ballistic missiles aimed at the Israeli regime’s military and intelligence installations across the occupied territories.
The operation dubbed ‘True Promise II’ marked Iran's second direct attack against Israeli positions in the occupied territories, following a similar but smaller operation in April.
In the early hours of October 26, Israeli warplanes launched several air-to-ground missiles at Iranian military positions, utilizing Iraqi airspace that was made available by the U.S. While the Israeli aircraft were unable to penetrate Iranian territory, they caused limited damage to certain radar installations and resulted in the tragic loss of five lives, including four air-defense personnel from the Iranian Army and one civilian.
Early November, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, the commander-in-chief of the Iranian Army said, “We determine the timing and manner of our response, and we will not hesitate," the Army chief asserted, emphasizing that "Our retaliation will be crushing.”