Iran acts without restrictions to defend its people: Defense Minister
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Iran's Defense Minister underlines that it will not allow anything to stand in its way when it comes to defending its people and its national interests.
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Iranian Defense Minister General Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiani arrives for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meeting of defense ministers, in New Delhi, India, April 28, 2023 (AP)
Iran is unwaveringly committed to safeguarding its national interests and people, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani said on Wednesday, in light of an Iranian-launched series of missile strikes targeting ISIS and Mossad facilities in the region.
The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) targeted the headquarters of Mossad spies in Kurdistan, Iraq, and the headquarters of terrorist leaders and members linked to the recent terrorist attacks in Iran, mainly ISIS terrorist cells.
"Four Kheybar Shekan ballistic missiles were launched from Khuzestan toward terrorist strongholds in Idlib, Syria. Another four missiles were launched from western Iran and seven from northwest Iran toward Mossad spy bases in Iraqi Kurdistan. As well as nine various missiles launched on terror group strongholds in occupied regions of Syria," the IRGC said in a statement following the operations.
The statement concluded by assuring the Iranian people that the operations of the IRGC will continue until the last drop of blood is avenged for the martyrs of Iran.
Responding to reporters' inquiries about the IRGC's missile strikes against targets in Idlib and Erbil, Ashtiani addressed the media on the sidelines of a weekly cabinet session on Wednesday, saying, "We act firmly and without any restrictions in the course of defending our people and national interests. We will take [such measures] mightily."
The Iranian Defense Minister made it clear that Iran condemns acts of terrorism globally and reacts decisively, without reservation, to any actions violating the rights of the Iranian people.
He underscored Iran's commitment to respecting the sovereignty, interests, and regulations of other nations while firmly asserting that Iran would not tolerate any party engaging in mischievous actions at its borders.
"Iran respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of neighboring countries but will never accept any plots and conspiracies on its borders and will deal with them," Ashtiani stressed. He also went on to emphasize Iran's readiness to respond to any potential threats.
The Commander of the IRGC's Muhammad Rasulullah Corps, Brigadier General Hassan Hassan Zadeh said Tuesday that the IRGC's strikes would continue until Iran's enemies are thwarted and regretful, pointing out that the IRGC was able, in the shortest period, to implement the directives of the leader of the Revolution, Sayyed Ali Khamenei, and respond to the enemies, as requested by the afflicted people of Kerman.
Read more: Kerman suicide bomber was Israeli-Tajik: Iran's Intelligence
Retaliation
Senior Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Seyyed Razi Mousavi was martyred in an Israeli airstrike on Syria's Damascus on December, 25,2023.
Seyyed Mousavi was one of the oldest IRGC commanders in Syria and he was close to the commander of the IRGC's elite Quds Force, martyr Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani.
The Iranian commander was martyred after the Israeli occupation launched three missiles at his location in the suburbs of the Syrian capital of Damascus.
Following Mousavi's assassination, and on the fourth anniversary of the martyrdom of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, 93 people were killed in an explosion in the Iranian city of Kerman as Iranians flooded the streets marching toward Soleimani's gravesite.
ISIS later assumed responsibility for the terror bombings.
