Iran Threatens Crippling Response if Israel Acts Again, Top Military Official Warns
Iran’s top general warned Israel of a “crippling” military response if another attack occurs, saying the plan was paused due to a U.S.-backed ceasefire. He claimed the enemy sought to divide Iran via a 15-year plan, but national unity and armed resistance thwarted it and forced U.S. intervention.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) — Iran's Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, issued a stark warning to Israel on Friday, vowing that if what he described as "another mistake" is committed by the Zionist regime, Tehran will implement a "crippling plan" that was not executed due to the recent ceasefire agreement.
The statement, reported by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and Tasnim News Agency, came during a commemoration ceremony honoring the late Lieutenant General Hossein Salami, a senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) who was recently killed during the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel.
General Mousavi spoke in detail about Iran's military response to what he called Israeli aggression. He referred to the multi-phase military initiative dubbed Operation "True Promise 3," stating, "After the Zionist regime’s aggression against our country, in the first phase, a deterrent response was carried out, and in the second phase, a punitive operation was put on the agenda. The U.S., by proposing a ceasefire, tried to save the Zionist enemy."
He further warned that the third phase—a "crippling" military plan—was fully prepared but was halted due to the ceasefire: "We had prepared the crippling plan, but due to the ceasefire, it did not get the opportunity to be implemented. However, if another mistake is made, this plan will be executed. In that case, perhaps even the United States would not be able to save Netanyahu."
According to Mousavi, the enemy had devised a 15-year plan to divide and destabilize Iran, using the nuclear issue as a pretext for military aggression. "They aimed to eliminate the system within 48 hours to a week and to partition Iran, but the Iranian nation triumphed over them," he asserted. He added that the armed forces’ response and the unity of the Iranian people thwarted the enemy’s plans and forced the U.S. to intervene with a ceasefire to rescue Israel.
Mousavi stated that the enemies miscalculated three key elements: the leadership, the people, and the response capacity of Iran's armed forces. He praised the Iranian populace for their unity, declaring, "You stood firm against the enemy with unity and cohesion and forced them to kneel."
The general also delivered a eulogy for the fallen commanders, saying, "I have lost very dear brothers. Courageous, self-sacrificing, and devoted comrades... commanders who left everything behind to defend the Qur’an, Islam, and the pride of beloved Iran."
Speaking of Lieutenant General Salami, Mousavi described him as "a true loyalist to the leadership" and "a commander of the stature of the Islamic Revolution." He said Salami’s legacy should serve as a model for all military and civilian leaders in Iran.
Mousavi also expressed confidence in the new IRGC leadership under Commander Mohammad Pakpour, who, he noted, has been "present on the battlefield since his youth." He said the IRGC will advance further under Pakpour’s command.
The Chief of Staff concluded with a message to the Iranian people and a stern warning to adversaries: "We will keep the flag of honor and pride of our dear martyrs flying until the last drop of our blood... Until the child-killing terrorists are put in their place, we will not rest."
This statement from Iran's military leadership comes amid ongoing tensions in the region following the June war between Iran and Israel. The United States has been actively engaging in diplomatic efforts to prevent renewed hostilities, while Israel continues to express concerns over Iran's military and nuclear ambitions.
