Iran too powerful to be threatened: Defense Minister

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: News Website
19 Jul 2023 21:01

The statements of the Iranian minster of defense come in response to the US decision to deploy fighter jets and a USS destroyer to the Gulf region.

Iranian Minister of Defence, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani (social media)

In a recent statement, Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani declared that the Islamic Republic has achieved an unparalleled level of power, rendering it invincible to threats from any external source.

Ashtiani made these remarks during a cabinet meeting, in response to the Pentagon's recent announcement of planning to deploy the USS Thomas Hudner destroyer, as well as F-16 and F-35 fighter jets to the Gulf region.

“The US is pursuing its own affairs. The Islamic Republic of Iran is basically at a level of power and capability that no one can threaten it,” the minister said.

The Defense Ministry, Ashtiani added, has collaborated with knowledge-based companies, aiming to enhance the Iranian Armed Forces' capabilities.

Echoing the same points, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri recently pointed out that enemies have refrained from employing military rhetoric against Iran due to its "sustainable deterrence."

Yesterday, a report by the Wall Street Journal citing informed sources that the US federal prosecutors are unable to sell nearly 800,000 barrels of seized Iranian oil lying aboard a Greek ship off the coast of Texas.

Although the coast guard has certified the ship for unloading, the firms that execute those transfers, known as lightering, are too concerned about Iranian retaliation to handle the seized oil.

A Houston-based energy executive entangled in the situation admitted that companies "are literally afraid to do it." According to him, numerous companies that were contacted rejected the offer to unload the oil. Another executive wondered "if anybody's going to touch it."

The US had seized the Iranian oil tanker Suez Rajan back in April, after which Tehran in response detained a tanker carrying American cargo in the Gulf of Oman.

The standoff over the stolen oil highlights the failure of the US administration in implementing sanctions against Iran, as Tehran has allegedly become bolder, according to the WSJ report, in its maritime expeditions.

A former US official believes that the current situation represents “a much bigger drama that’s playing out about how we deal with Iranian threats."