Iran possesses missiles beyond US threshold of imagination: IRGC chief
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The Iranian islands in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz remain an integral part of Iran, Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said.
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IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri
Addressing an audience at a ceremony held at the Imam Hossein Comprehensive University in Tehran on Tuesday, IRGC Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, said Iran is in possession of ballistic weapons that are far beyond the US threshold of imagination.
The official said although they do exist in the IRGC's stockpiles, the missiles have yet to be used in actual combat settings.
“Today, we are in possession of ballistic missiles that Americans could never even conceive of,” he added.
Tangsiri added that Iran is the sole country to have successfully installed missiles on 6-8 meter long vessels, noting that these capabilities prevent enemies from ever coming close to Iranian territory either through the crossing of the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, or the Indian Ocean.
He said US forces have continued to threaten Iran's national security through their continuous presence in the Gulf since the start of the 20th century.
He further highlighted the strategic importance of islands located in the Strait of Hormuz, warning that if Iran was to ever lose the Abu Musa island, it will also result in the loss of oil-rich Sirri island, and will then use the Greater Tunb and the Lesser Tunb which is largely populated by fishermen.
“This is the deepest point in the Persian Gulf and it is highly strategic for Iran. If this region is lost, we will have no longer any control over the Persian Gulf,” the IRGC Navy commander said.
"We will not allow the enemy to take away our lands that our ancestors had preserved," he added.
This comes amid the recent joint statement issued by China and the GCC states which read that both parties support “all peaceful efforts, including the initiative and endeavors of the UAE” to reach a peaceful solution on the issue of the three Gulf islands through bilateral negotiations.
Tangsiri reiterated that the three islands undeniably belong to Iran and will remain integral to Iran's territorial sovereignty.
“These islands belong to Iran and those who claim otherwise, should review history. If we go back to the history … Bahrain should return to Iran as well,” Tangsiri said.
Read more: Arabs realigning with China, Russia to affect US allies' energy market
On December 11, Iran's Foreign Ministry criticized the final communiqué of the summit of the Gulf Cooperation Council, which contained unfounded accusations against Tehran, as an ineffective attempt by some council members to cover up their crisis-instigating actions.
The Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kanaani denounced the anti-Iran statements included in a joint statement released by China and the GCC members as a continuation of the council's failed "Iranophobic policy".
The declaration was made on Friday at the conclusion of the council's 43rd summit in the Saudi capital Riyadh, which also marked the end of Chinese President Xi Jinping's official visit to the Kingdom.
Kanaani criticized the statement on Saturday, calling it a "futile attempt" by the Council's members "to cover up their financial, political, and logistical support for terrorist groups operating in the region."
He urged the Council to reconsider its approaches to regional issues and instead adopt a "constructive" course of action. He made reference to the enormous material and human losses inflicted on the regional people as a result of the "destructive policies" of a number of GCC members.
Earlier today, it was reported that Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua said on Tuesday that "China supports Iran's national sovereignty, territorial integrity and national honor, and fights against foreign interference."
"Beijing's will to develop comprehensive strategic relations with Tehran has never changed," Hu Chunhua said in a meeting with Mohammad Mokhber, Iran's Vice president.
Mokhber, for his part, said China and Iran have a common view against unilateralism and hegemony, stressing that "respecting Iran's territorial integrity is a sensitive matter for us, and everyone must respect this point."
The Iranian Vice President also pointed out that the bilateral negotiations between the two countries are progressing well, as he gave thanks to China for its support for Iran's presence in the Shanghai Cooperation and BRICS.
Read more: IRGC Navy: New warship gives Iran presence in international waters
Yesterday, it was reported that the IRGC naval forces managed to repel to enemy ships, namely two US vessels that came very close to the Strait of Hormuz.
🚨🇺🇸Breaking: Iranian Revolutionary Guards' ship failed to intercept an American warship in the Strait of Hormuz: Pentagon pic.twitter.com/xTe0O5jjGX
— Terror Alarm (@Terror_Alarm) December 6, 2022
