Iran Hints at Offensive Stance as MoU with US Expires

Tehran's military posture appears to be shifting as Iranian officials suggest a more aggressive approach following the expiration of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United States. Brigadier General Yadollah Javani of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) declared readiness to take necessary actions to defend the nation during a state television broadcast.

The MoU, which officially lapses on Monday, has been rendered ineffective after hostilities reignited last month. Despite a ceasefire reached in June, tensions have escalated, particularly over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

“The enemy started the war and our efforts have been defensive, although they might take on an offensive aspect,” Javani stated, promising strategic surprises for adversaries. He did not detail what these measures might involve, though IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi has highlighted potential targets, including US and regional allies’ critical infrastructure, should the US strike Iran's civilian facilities.

Discussion among hardline Iranian factions has even broached the idea of launching ground operations against US interests in Bahrain and Kuwait, raising eyebrows among analysts regarding the practicality and risks of such actions. Currently, there is no indication that the US plans ground operations in Iran.

This shift towards offensive deterrence follows Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei’s recent consolidation of power, appointing loyalists to vital military roles. Khamenei emphasized a strategy of maximum deterrence alongside readiness for forceful operations against perceived threats. Major General Ahmad Vahidi, newly appointed commander-in-chief of the IRGC, echoed this sentiment, claiming that Iran's military has successfully hampered the mightiest army in history.

US President Donald Trump claimed that Iran had been vanquished while under a naval blockade, suggesting that the Strait of Hormuz would soon be declared US territory, a statement the White House later described as a joke. In response, Iran’s army chief Amir Hatami announced a reward for anyone who kills or captures a US soldier during a ground operation in Iran, increasing the incentive for women.

Mohsen Rezaee, the secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, speculated that the Trump administration had considered ground operations but chose to hold off due to poorly conceived plans. He remarked on the US Central Command’s restraint during recent escalations, suggesting their air raids aimed to prepare for a potential ground assault targeting critical locations, including the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian media have reported preparations to defend coastal and island territories that could be targeted by US forces, particularly oil export terminals. Army spokesman Mohammad-Reza Akraminia asserted that they are prepared to thwart any foreign troop landings, emphasizing a defensive stance on Iranian soil.

As tensions remain high, Iranian officials signaled readiness to address any unrest instigated by separatist movements near Iran’s borders with Iraq, Turkey, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The IRGC has reinforced defenses and continued missile and drone operations against groups in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Source: www.aljazeera.com