High time US taught new lessons: Iran Armed Forces spokesman

Iran’s chief Armed Forces spokesman has lashed out at US President Donald Trump for making threats and accusations against the Islamic Republic, saying it is high time for the United States to be taught “new” salutary lessons.

“It seems the Trump administration understands nothing but expletives and needs some shocks to learn the new concept of power in today’s world,” Deputy Chief of Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri said on Tuesday.

He added that the US approaches have frustrated people across the world, saying, “It is time to teach the US new lessons.”

He emphasized that Iran’s increasing defensive capabilities would never be swayed by foreign rhetoric and said, “The policy and logic of the Islamic Republic of Iran on boosting the country’s defensive power are an unquestionable issue.”

The Iranian commander added that the country has considered serious plans to counter US aggressive policies.

“The era of the US presence and dominance over the West Asia [region] is over,” Jazayeri pointed out.

Trump is reportedly planning to “decertify” on October 15 the nuclear agreement, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), reached between Iran and the P5+1 group of countries in 2015. According to reports, the US president plans to declare that the nuclear deal is not in the national interest of the United States and kick the issue to a reluctant Congress.

The US president is also expected to designate the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization.

If Trump refuses to certify, the Congress will have 60 days to decide whether to restore the sanctions against the Islamic Republic that the US has agreed to waive under the deal. By potentially re-imposing the nuclear-related bans, the US would be stopping the implementation of major obligations under the agreement, which would practically equal a pullout even if an official declaration of withdrawal was not released.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Monday Tehran will take reciprocal measures against a potential “strategic mistake” by President Trump to designate the IRGC as a terrorist organization.

“If American officials make such a strategic mistake, the Islamic Republic of Iran will take a reciprocal measure,” Zarif said, adding, “Some measures have been thought out in this regard and will be taken at the appropriate time.”

The IRGC chief commander, Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, said on Sunday that Iran would treat US troops like Daesh terrorists if the IRGC was designated as a terrorist organization by the US.

Iran has been providing Syria and Iraq military advisory assistance in the fight against Daesh upon the two countries’ request.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and many world leaders on Monday unanimously thew their weight behind the nuclear agreement rejecting the US president’s claims that Tehran has violated the “spirit” of the deal.

IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano in a statement once again confirmed that Iran was in compliance with its commitments under the JCPOA.

“I can state that the nuclear-related commitments undertaken by Iran under the (nuclear agreement) are being implemented,” Amano said in prepared remarks during the 20th Edoardo Amaldi Conference in Rome.