Iran's Top General Questions Ceasefire Durability, Warns of Retaliation
Iran’s military chief Gen. Mousavi told Saudi Arabia’s defense minister that Tehran doubts the ceasefire with Israel will hold and is fully prepared to respond to any renewed aggression. He criticized U.S.-Israel actions during ongoing talks and called them violations of international norms.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Iran's Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, has expressed deep skepticism regarding the longevity of the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, declaring that the Islamic Republic remains fully prepared to respond to any future acts of aggression.
According to Iran's IRIB News Agency, General Mousavi made the remarks during a telephone conversation with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defense, Prince Khalid bin Salman.
"We doubt the durability of the ceasefire with the Zionist regime and are ready to respond to any aggression," Mousavi stated unequivocally.
He noted that the joint aggression by Israel and the United States against Iranian territory occurred despite Iran's adherence to restraint and at a time when indirect negotiations were ongoing with Washington.
"The aggression by the Zionist regime and the United States against Iranian territory took place despite Iran’s restraint and at a time when indirect negotiations with the U.S. were underway," he said, underscoring what he characterized as a breach of diplomatic norms.
Mousavi further charged that "these two regimes have shown that they do not abide by any international norms or rules, and this has been proven to the world during the imposed 12-day war."
He insisted that Iran had not initiated the conflict but had responded with full force in defense of its sovereignty. "We did not start the war, but we responded to the aggression with full force," he said. "And since we have serious doubts about the enemy’s commitment to its obligations, including the ceasefire, we are fully prepared to deliver a firm response in the event of renewed aggression."
In response, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman emphasized Riyadh’s efforts to end hostilities and reiterated his government's opposition to the attacks.
According to IRIB, Prince Khalid stated that Saudi Arabia "has not merely condemned the aggressions but has made great efforts to end the war and the attacks."
He also expressed his condolences for the loss of high-ranking Iranian military commanders killed during the conflict. "Khalid bin Salman also expressed condolences for the martyrdom of several commanders of the armed forces during the recent war," the report noted.
The phone call between the senior defense officials comes as both regional and international actors continue to assess the fragile truce and its implications for broader Middle East stability.
