Iran Threatens “Crushing Response” To U.S. Attacks
By Stefan J. Bos, Special Correspondent to Worthy News
(Worthy News) – Iran threatens a “crushing response” to any American military attacks in the Persian Gulf after United States President Donald Trump threatened to “shoot down and destroy” Iranian vessels. The leader of Iran’s elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that the security of the Gulf is among Iran’s strategic priorities.
IRGC General Hossein Salami told national television: “I ordered Iran’s naval forces to destroy any American terrorist force in the Persian Gulf that threatens the security of Iran’s military or non-military ships.”
His outburst was in response to President Trump’s remarks on the Twitter website. “I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea,” Trump wrote. U.S. defense officials were reportedly surprised by Trump’s tweet, saying they were not informed on any change in policy toward Iran. And, the Pentagon later downgraded the commander-in-chief’s remarks to a warning. “What he was emphasizing is all of our ships retain the right of self-defense. And people need to be very careful in their interactions to understand the inherent right of self-defense,” David Norquist, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense, told reporters. Norquist stressed that the president’s tweet was “very useful.”
The lastest bilateral standoff comes after the U.S. Navy said last week that 11 Guard naval gunboats carried out “dangerous and harassing approaches.” Iranian forces were reportedly were close to American Navy and Coast Guard vessels in the Persian Gulf. American military officials claimed they used a variety of nonlethal means to warn off the Iranian boats, which eventually left. Iran accused the U.S. of sparking the incident without offering evidence for the claim.
The tensions underscored that the coronavirus pandemic only temporarily paused tensions between the U.S. and Iran’s leadership. Recently, Iran reacted to the Trump administration’s pressure on the country. Its Guard on Wednesday launched Iran’s first military satellite, unveiling a previously secret space program. France condemned the program as a potential move towards the launch of nuclear missiles, while Russia said it did not violate United Nations resolutions.
Iran officials on Thursday also accused Trump of “bullying,” saying he should focus on caring for U.S. troops infected with the coronavirus instead of making threats. Thousands of U.S. service members have contracted the virus, including hundreds on a stricken aircraft carrier, docked in Guam, and several have died from COVID-19.
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