Political, military Iranian figures vow revenge, slam US complicity
5 Min Read
Tehran says the Israeli aggression reflects fear of Iran’s rising power, vowing retaliation and rejecting any distinction between state and people.
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Vehicles drive past an anti-Israeli banner showing missiles being launched, in a square in downtown Tehran, Iran, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP)
Senior Iranian political figures have pledged a decisive response following the Israeli aggression on Iranian territory. Officials also directly blamed the United States for enabling the aggression, warning that accountability will extend beyond the battlefield.
On his part, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf issued a stark warning, declaring that the Islamic Republic will respond forcefully to the Israeli aggression.
“The time has come for decisive retaliation, through any means and by every available tool,” Ghalibaf declared in a televised address. “The Zionist regime will not escape the consequences. What they have begun, we will bring to an end.”
He further stressed that “they should brace for a severe response that will make them regret their actions,” underscoring Iran’s resolve to respond beyond symbolic gestures.
'The Americans will be held accountable': Larijani
Ali Larijani, senior advisor to the Iranian Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei, condemned both “Israel” and the United States for the escalation, framing it as a coordinated attempt to destabilize the region.
“These crimes have revealed the helplessness of the United States,” Larijani stated. “The Zionist regime is trying to spark chaos, but this attack will only deepen the solidarity of the Iranian people.”
In a sharp rebuke aimed at Washington, Larijani remarked, “The American president behaves like a clown.”
He ended with a clear warning, “The United States will be held responsible for its actions.”
'The blood of our martyrs will not go in vain': Mousavi
In a similar vein, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Commander of the Iranian Army, assured the nation that a retaliatory response to the Israeli aggression is imminent. “The blood of our martyrs will not go in vain,” he declared in a televised interview, adding that “Israel has yet to comprehend the strength of the Iranian people.”
Mousavi stressed that Iran possesses “vast capabilities to respond” to any threat posed against its sovereignty.
He also confirmed that Iranian Leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei has issued direct orders for retaliation, signaling that the Islamic Republic will not allow the attack to go unanswered.
IRGC remains on high alert
Echoing that stance, Brigadier General Ali Fadavi, Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), stated that Iranian forces are fully mobilized and prepared.
“Preparations are underway for a decisive response that will make the Zionists regret their actions,” he affirmed, noting that the IRGC remains on high alert and ready to act the moment orders are given.
Red lines have consequences: Deputy Chief of Staff
Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, Deputy Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces, delivered a pointed message, saying, “Everyone must know that crossing Iran’s red lines will lead to severe consequences across the region.”
Iran ready for prolonged war: Defense minister
Iran’s Defense Minister also affirmed Tehran’s readiness, emphasizing that Iran is fully prepared for sustained military engagement if necessary.
“Our armed forces are fully prepared for a prolonged war,” he stated, adding that “the Zionist regime should prepare for a decisive and punishing response from Iran’s military.”
No limits to our response: Iranian Armed Forces
In a second official communique released by the Iranian Armed Forces, they condemned the attack in the strongest terms.
“The terrorist Zionist entity has violated all red lines, and our response will not be bound by any limitations,” the statement read.
It concluded with a stark warning, “Revenge will be exacted on the criminal Zionist regime and its supporters.”
'Playing with the lion's tail': Iranian government
On its part, the Iranian government issued a stern warning on Saturday, declaring that any attempt to launch a war against the Islamic Republic is akin to “playing with the lion’s tail," a pointed reference to the Israeli entity’s designation of its aggression as “Rising Lion".
In its official statement, the government condemned the overnight aggression as a clear expression of the entity’s deep-seated fear of Iran’s rising strategic influence and diplomatic credibility on the international stage.
"Starting a war with Iran is playing with the lion's tail. The cowardly last night's operation at the time the diplomatic process on the Iranian nuclear issue is a sign of this regime's fear of Iran's power to convince the world that although we Iranians have never started any war in the past two hundred years, we have not hesitated in defending our homeland nor we will," the statement read.
The Iranian government condemned the airstrikes as an "act of terrorism," particularly the assassination of senior Iranian commanders, calling it a blatant violation of Iranian sovereignty.
"Israel's attack on Iran's sacred skies and the cowardly assassination of Iranian generals proved that this regime is inherently terrorist, and shedding the blood of the Iranian people showed that Tel Aviv's claim to distinguish between the Iranian nation and government in its terrorist attacks is a big lie," it added.
The statement concluded with a firm warning that “the Zionist regime only understands the language of force,” stressing that Iran “will take revenge for the blood of each one of its martyrs on the Israeli regime.”
It is worth noting that Iran has reiterated that its response will be guided by both strategic calculation and its legal right under Article 51 of the UN Charter.
