Army chief: Iran will give decisive, forceful response to potential threats posed by Zionist regime

Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi raised the alarm on the last day of Zolfaghar 1401 joint drills on Monday, which included three days of exercises held over an area stretching from the Strait of Hormuz all the way to the Sea of Oman and north of the Indian Ocean.

“We often hear nonsensical comments from the Zionist regime and some of their officials. We tell them that in case of a threat directed at any part of the Islamic Republic of Iran from the Zionist regime, the [Iranian] Armed Forces will respond decisively and with multiple force,” Mousavi told reporters.

“In the past few days, the Iranian Army showcased some of its capabilities in defending the country and responding to the enemy,” he said, adding, “We have shown the world that we can respond to any threat in the best way.”

Pointing to the Zolfaghar 1401 joint drills, Mousavi said the military exercises were aimed at deterrence and security, and were carried out so that aggressor countries and those who are belligerent and totalitarian avoid miscalculations in thinking that they can invade another country.

Stressing that the Zionist regime is now at the nadir of its rootless history, the chief commander said, “That is why the prime minister of that regime has been forced to form a coalition with the most radical people in order to organize his messy cabinet.”

The Zionist regime's new cabinet, led by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, includes the far-right Religious Zionism, Otzma Yehudit, and Noam factions, with the 73-year-old calling the illegal settlement expansion a top priority of his coalition cabinet.

Zolfaqar 1401 drills kicked off late on Thursday night, and featured parts of the infantry, armored and mechanized units, surface, sub-surface and flying vessels, air defense systems, members of the marine commando force, and strategic bombers.

The exercises were meant to promote training and combat readiness and implementing some operational and intelligence plans to improve the security of the region.

Iran Army held Zulfaqar 1400 drills in November 2021 in the same area, showcasing its defensive capabilities that are based on domestically-built equipment.