IRGC must prepare for all assaults

A deputy commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says despite the unlikelihood of a military strike, Iran must continue enhancing its defense systems.

“The defensive capabilities of our Armed Forces are such that discourage the enemy from launching an attack on our country,” Brigadier General Abdullah Araqi said Sunday.

Noting the large number of global conflicts in the past century, as well as ongoing conflicts in the region, Araqi said Iran must remain vigilant and prepare against all possible threats.

“In the 20th century, some 140 wars broke out, claiming the lives of some 20 million people and in the past three decades we have also seen significant conflicts breaking out in the Persian Gulf region, Afghanistan and Iraq,” an IRGC statement quoted Araqi as saying.

“Although we have, thanks to the eight-year Sacred Defense (Iraqi-imposed war), reached a level of defensive capability, we must enhance it,” the Iranian General stressed.

Amid a standoff over Iran’s nuclear program, the US and Israel have repeatedly stressed that the option of a military strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities was still on the table.

Iranian official reject Western charges that Tehran is following a military nuclear program and have dismissed the threats, urging the resumption of nuclear talks based on the May 17 Tehran nuclear fuel swap declaration.

Tehran says such a move would be illegal, since as a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty it is entitled to the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The Sacred Defense Week honors the memory and the braveries of Iranian soldiers who fought in the 1980-1988 Iraqi-imposed war.