TEHRAN, Iran: Major General Gholam-Ali Rashid, the commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters in Iran, has emphasized that Tehran would deliver a “crushing and decisive” response in the event of an Israeli attack.
Rashid stated that Iranian commanders would have the autonomy to respond freely to any potential assault by Israel. He underlined Iran’s commitment to defending its sovereignty and deterring aggression.
During the interview, Rashid also praised the late Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, highlighting his significant role in supporting Resistance forces in Lebanon, Iraq, Palestine, Yemen, and Syria. Rashid credited Soleimani with instilling hope among the Iraqi and Syrian governments, boosting their confidence in countering the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.
Reflecting on the aftermath of General Soleimani’s assassination in a U.S. drone strike on January 3, 2020, near Baghdad International Airport, Rashid asserted that former President Donald Trump took responsibility for the act to enhance his national standing. Despite Trump’s claim, Rashid stated that those who harm the Islamic Republic eventually face consequences, expressing confidence that the perpetrators of Soleimani’s assassination would be held accountable.
General Soleimani, the commander of Iran’s Quds Force, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units, were assassinated in the drone strike. The two commanders were instrumental in combating the Daesh terrorist group in Iraq and Syria, earning widespread respect across the Middle East.
Rashid concluded by emphasizing the need to counter acts of aggression by the U.S. and Israel against nations, citing historical instances of American military occupations in Afghanistan and Iraq during the 1980s.
