In a recent development, General Hossein Salami, commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has raised concerns about potential conflict escalation with Israel. He proposed extending military operations against Israel and obstructing access to the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza has heightened tensions in the region, fueling fears of a direct confrontation between Iran and Israel.
Salami voiced his stance at an event honoring General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, who led IRGC operations in Syria and Lebanon until his recent death in an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.
In retaliation for Zahedi's death, the IRGC launched a significant rocket and drone attack from Iran on April 13. Despite Israel's assertion that the operation was largely unsuccessful, Salami maintained that it achieved its objectives, exposing vulnerabilities in the region despite heavy air defense systems supported by the US, UK, France, and other regional powers.
Salami also criticized the US military presence in the region, advocating for regional cooperation against common adversaries. He emphasized Iran's determination to impede its enemies' access to the eastern Mediterranean and expand its military influence.
Highlighting the role of the Quds Force, the IRGC's external branch, Salami emphasized its responsibility for thwarting enemy infiltration and safeguarding Iran's security along with that of neighboring countries.
This isn't the first time such threats have been issued. In December, IRGC General Coordinator Mohammad Reza Naghdi warned of potential measures to block off the Mediterranean and other waterways if the US and its allies continued what Iran perceived as hostile actions in Gaza.
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