Iranian Chief of Staff threatens to take ‘offensive’ tactics

Iranian armed forces members march during the annual military parade in Tehran (Reuters)

 

Chief of Staff of Iranian Army says Iran may switch from defensive policy to “offensive” tactics if national interests come under threat.

Major General Mohammad Bagheri, the Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, said on Sunday that Iran may switch from its defensive policy to “offensive” tactics if its national interests come under threat, the Mehr news agency reported.

Speaking to reporters, Bagheri said Iran has no intention of attacking any country, stressing that “our defense strategy is to protect the independence, territorial integrity and national interests of our country.”

Bagheri noted at the same time that Iran’s defense policy does not mean a purely defensive and passive approach during tactical operations, adding that “while it is true that we have no interest in other country’s interests and territory, we may switch to an offensive approach to protect our own interests.”

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“That is why our military drills this year in the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, or even on land or in the air, have had a change in their nature, and we will continue this trend until our armed forces are fully ready to make the switch in tactics if necessary,” added Bagheri.

His comments come amid rising tensions after US President Donald Trump pulled out of the nuclear deal in May of 2018 and imposed two rounds of sanctions against the Islamic Republic.

Full article: Iranian Chief of Staff threatens to take ‘offensive’ tactics (Arutz Sheva 7)