The Commander-in-Chief of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), Major General Hossein Salami, affirmed on Saturday that while the Islamic Republic will not initiate war, it stands fully ready for any confrontation.

"We will not start the war, but we are prepared for it," Salami declared in a press statement, emphasizing that "Iran knows how to defeat its enemies and will not retreat even a single step." He added: "We do not fear the enemy's threats or the prospect of war — we are ready for military aggression and psychological warfare alike." 

Salami underlined that the Islamic Republic possesses "immense and accumulated capabilities that it is prepared to unveil," noting: "We know the enemy's weak points — all are within our range. We possess sufficient capabilities to strike and defeat them, despite the full backing they receive from the United States."

He explained that the enemy's approach is based on flawed calculations, seeking to corner Iran into confrontation or force it into submission. "But we are the people of jihad," he said, "ready for major battles and for defeating the enemy."

Reflecting on the past year, Salami described it as filled with challenges, noting that "the forces of evil stood united against the people of truth." Yet, he praised the steadfastness of Gaza's people under siege and starvation tactics, calling it "a historic legend that displayed the power of faith in the face of modern military might."

He further praised the supporting fronts in Yemen, Lebanon, and Iraq for their resilience and continued solidarity with the Palestinian cause. "The Zionist enemy has been halted on the Lebanese front, the Palestinian resistance continues to fight with strength, and Yemen remains firm despite continuous US bombardment — all signs that the occupying regime is in deep crisis."

Salami added: "Today we are confronting a desperate enemy — one unable to overcome even an unarmed nation. Its losses are mounting." He stressed that "Israel has lost political and economic stability, and if the United States were to abandon it, it would collapse instantly."

Acknowledging the scale of the confrontation, Salami said: "This is a massive battle. The enemy is deploying all its power, and it is unrealistic to assume that the Axis of Resistance — including Hezbollah, Palestine, or Iran — would emerge without any losses. Such an assumption defies the very logic of war."

He hailed Operation True Promise as a testament to the power of Islam and the unwavering resolve of the Muslim world. "The decision to carry out this operation was historic — it showed the world that Muslims will never surrender."

Read more: Iran committed to Operation True Promise III: General Safavi

On the technical front, Salami noted that although "Israel boasts one of the densest air defense systems in the world, over 581 Iranian missiles bypassed these systems and struck their intended targets."

Regarding Syria, Salami reminded that Iran stood with Syria during its most difficult hours in the fight against terrorism — "and we fulfilled our mission successfully."