Iran can endanger enemy interests in Mideast: Cmdr.

A senior Iranian commander says the Islamic Republic’s defense capabilities can endanger the enemies’ interests across the Middle East if the country faces military aggression.

“Today, our military and defense might is much beyond the expectations of the big powers,” said the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC)’s second-in-command, Brigadier General Hossein Salami on Saturday.

“Our defense strategy has been formed against the most dangerous global power and alliance, and our structures are such that, in addition to protecting the country’s interests, they can jeopardize the enemy’s interests in the region on every level,” he added.

“It doesn’t make a difference to us that the US military option is on the table, but they should accept the consequences. Are the Americans in an economic position to manage a war with indefinite severity and unspecified length and extent?” the Iranian commander asked, adding that Iran has identified all enemy scenarios for potential military strikes against the country.

The commander pointed to Iran’s nuclear negotiations with six world powers and noted, “We turned to the negotiating table when we were assured of our military might, and the use of military options by the US is not a new issue to us.”

Speaking to al-Arabiya on January 23, US Secretary of State John Kerry said if Iran resumes uranium enrichment beyond the five-percent level, “then the military option that is available to the United States is ready and prepared to do what it would have to do.”

Kerry’s threat came against the backdrop of the implementation of a nuclear deal clinched between Iran and the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council – Russia, China, France, Britain, and the United States – plus Germany in the Swiss city of Geneva on November 24, 2013.

Under the deal, Iran would take the confidence-building measure of limiting certain aspects of its nuclear energy program for six months and would in return be provided with partial sanctions relief.