Latest news with #RevolutionaryGuards
Asharq Al-Awsat
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Iranian Army, IRGC Threaten Decisive Response to Any Aggression
The Iranian Army and the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) separately warned on Saturday adversaries of Iran that they would receive a decisive response in case of any act of aggression against their country. The warning came in two separate statements to mark the anniversary of the Iranian army's liberation of Khorramshahr, a southern city captured during the 1980-88 war with Iraq. It also came amid reports that Israel is drawing up plans for a rapid military strike against Iranian nuclear sites. IRGC said it works in synergy with the other Iranian armed forces to give a decisive response to any hostile action. It warned that its reaction to the acts of aggression will be beyond the enemy's imagination. The Revolutionary Guards statement also said that any aggression would provoke a retaliatory strike powerful enough to shift the strategic balance of power in west Asia. In the meantime, a statement by Iran's Army said that alongside other armed forces, it is prepared to defend the territorial integrity, independence, and security of the country and will never allow the evil dreams of the sworn enemies of this land to come true. 'The army will defend this land to the last drop of blood and will spare no effort in the path of the pride and honor of Islamic Iran,' it said. Position of Strength 'If we want (nuclear) talks to end in our favor, we must confront the Americans from a position of strength and have the finger of our armed forces on the trigger during negotiations,' former head of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, Fereydoun Abbasi, told ISNA on Saturday. 'Today, nuclear weapons aim to achieve a balance of power' rather than a military purpose. 'The Muslim world must have its own strength to confront the arrogant West,' Abbasi said. Last Thursday, Tehran's Revolutionary Guards said Israel will receive a 'devastating and decisive response' if it attacks Iran, days after CNN reported US intelligence suggesting Israel was making preparations to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. Israeli Preparations The reports were confirmed by two Israeli sources who told Axios that Tel Aviv is making preparations to swiftly strike Iran's nuclear facilities if negotiations between the US and Iran collapse. 'Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a highly sensitive meeting earlier this week with a group of top ministers and security and intelligence officials regarding the status of the nuclear talks,' an Israeli official said. The two sources confirmed a CNN report that the Israeli army have been conducting exercises and other preparations for a possible strike in Iran. 'There was a lot of training and the US military sees everything and understands Israel is preparing,' one said. Key Points of Contention On Friday, Iran and the United States held a fifth round of Oman-mediated nuclear talks in Rome, but with no breakthrough reported. However, both sides still described the meeting as constructive and expressed a willingness to continue the discussions. AFP said that one of the main obstacles seen to be hampering progress is Iran's enrichment of uranium. The United States and Western countries suspect Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, but Iran denies having such ambitions. Iran remains the only non-nuclear state enriching uranium to 60%, well above the 3.67% limit set under its 2015 accord with Western powers, but below the 90% needed for weapons-grade material. The deal was torpedoed in 2018 during President Donald Trump's first term when he unilaterally withdrew the United States from the accord. On April 27, Netanyahu urged Washington to block not only Iran's enrichment of uranium but also its missile development under any possible deal. Before the negotiations began, some analysts suggested the US might seek a broader deal that also addressed Iran's ballistic missile program. They believed the talks might touch on Tehran's support for the 'axis of resistance,' the network of anti-Israel armed groups that includes Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza and Yemen's Houthi militias. Tehran has criticised what it calls 'irrational' demands by Washington and inconsistent signals from US officials. Iran opposes non-nuclear issues being discussed in the talks, citing its sovereign rights and defence needs. Even with diplomacy under way, the United States has imposed new sanctions on Iran. Tehran denounces what it calls Washington's 'hostile approach,' noting that new sanctions were imposed just ahead of negotiations taking place.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iran would view US as ‘participant' in any Israeli attack on its nuclear sites
Iran has said it will hold the US responsible for any Israeli attack on its nuclear sites in remarks that set a fraught backdrop for the fifth and probably most important round of talks between Iran and the US on the future of Iran's nuclear program. Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, issued the warning on Thursday after reports appeared in the American media claiming US intelligence understood Israel was planning an attack on Iranian nuclear sites – with or without American support – if the talks broke down. The report may be accurate or an attempt by the US to strengthen its negotiating hand before the indirect talks in Rome, which are being mediated by Oman. Israel has repeatedly said it will attack Iran's nuclear sites, while Donald Trump has said the US will do so if the talks break down. In a letter to the UN, Araghchi said: 'Iran strongly warns against any adventurism by the Zionist regime of Israel and will decisively respond to any threat or unlawful act by this regime.' He said Iran would view Washington as a 'participant' in any such attack, and Tehran would have to adopt 'special measures' to protect its nuclear sites and material from any attacks or sabotage. Araghchi said the UN nuclear inspectorate, the IAEA, would only be subsequently informed of such steps. An adviser to Iran's supreme leader said in April that Tehran could suspend cooperation with the UN nuclear inspectors or transfer enriched material to safe and undisclosed locations. In a separate statement released on Thursday, Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Israel would receive a 'devastating and decisive response' if it attacked Iran. Alimohammad Naini , the guards' spokesperson, said: 'They are trying to frighten us with war but are miscalculating as they are unaware of the powerful popular and military support the Islamic Republic can muster in war conditions.' Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Tuesday that US demands for Tehran to stop refining uranium were 'excessive and outrageous', his most unequivocal statement that Iran will not abandon the capacity to enrich. But he said he did not expect the talks with the US to succeed. The US special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has insisted that Washington's red line is that Iran must end all uranium enrichment. In the 2015 deal with six world powers, from which Trump withdrew in 2018, Iran had been allowed to enrich to 3.67% purity, sufficient for producing fuel for commercial nuclear power plants. Iran has since enriched to 60%, bringing it close to the purity required to make a nuclear bomb. Araghchi initially said the US public demand for zero enrichment was not being repeated in private discussions, but the issue appears to have become the central battleground of the talks. The US says zero enrichment is the only way to end the risk of Iran acquiring a nuclear bomb and has suggested Tehran follows the model of the United Arab Emirates that imports uranium for its single civil nuclear program. But Iran says it has a right to enrich under the nuclear non-proliferation treaty and argues there is no reason for it to be treated differently to other states. Explaining Iran's determination to enrich domestically, as opposed to import, Ellie Geranmayeh of the European Council on Foreign Relations said: 'Iran really does feel that it has paid a huge cost for its right to enrich on its own soil. It has not only paid billions in actually setting up the infrastructure, but it has paid billions in sanctions that were imposed on it and the loss of oil sales. 'Iranian officials believe they have paid with blood, in reference to scientists that have been assassinated throughout the course of the last few decades working on this programme. This programme and the right for enrichment for civil nuclear purposes, has now become an issue of national pride.'
Newsweek
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Iran Threatens 'Devastating and Decisive Response' If Attacked
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Iran's Revolutionary Guards have issued a sharp warning, vowing a "devastating and decisive response" if Israel initiates any military action against Iranian nuclear facilities. The statement, delivered through state media, came after reports that U.S. intelligence believes Israel may be preparing for a potential strike on Iranian nuclear sites. The escalating rhetoric coincides with renewed diplomatic efforts, as Tehran and Washington prepare for a fifth round of nuclear talks in Rome on Friday. At the center of the impasse is Iran's insistence on its right to enrich uranium on its own soil—something the U.S. and its allies view as a potential pathway to nuclear weapons. Newsweek has reached out to the State Department and the foreign ministries of Iran and Israel for comment. Why It Matters The possibility of direct military confrontation between Iran and Israel has grown amid mounting tensions and stalled diplomacy. A failed deal—or one seen as inadequate by Israel—could lead to preemptive strikes that might ignite a broader regional conflict. The nuclear negotiations are now a critical diplomatic flashpoint with global stakes. While Tehran says that its nuclear program is exclusively for civilian use, its refusal to curb uranium enrichment has raised alarms in Israel and the West. Iran's leaders say they have no intention of building a bomb, but continue to expand their nuclear infrastructure as talks drag on. A Revolutionary Guard member stands guard in front of an Iranian domestically built missile displayed during Basij paramilitary force rally in support of the Palestinians in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. A Revolutionary Guard member stands guard in front of an Iranian domestically built missile displayed during Basij paramilitary force rally in support of the Palestinians in Tehran, Iran, Friday, Nov. 24, 2023. Vahid Salemi/AP Photo What to Know The Revolutionary Guards' (IRGC) warning marks a sharp escalation in Iran's military rhetoric, signaling Tehran's readiness to respond forcefully to any attack. Spokesperson Alimohammad Naini said adversaries are "miscalculating" Iran's capabilities, stressing the country's strong military and popular backing in wartime. Iran and Israel directly exchanged fire in April and October of last year. U.S.-Iran Talks Face Major Obstacle Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi posted on X before departing for the nuclear talks, clearly stating Iran's red line in the upcoming negotiations: a deal is possible if the U.S. demands "zero nuclear weapons," but not if it insists on "zero enrichment." He concluded his message with a stark ultimatum—"Time to decide." Set to travel to Rome for 5th round of indirect talks with the United States. Figuring out the path to a deal is not rocket science: Zero nuclear weapons = we DO have a deal. Zero enrichment = we do NOT have a deal. Time to decide... — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) May 22, 2025 Weapons Grade Friday's talks in Rome come ahead of a June meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the October deadline tied to the 2015 nuclear deal. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) aimed to stop Iran from developing a nuclear bomb. The deal has been severely undermined since President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. in 2018. Since then, Iran has expanded its nuclear program, enriching uranium to 60 percent—well above the 3.67 percent limit but below weapons-grade levels. What People Are Saying IRGC spokesperson Alimohammad Naini stated: "They are trying to frighten us with war but are miscalculating as they are unaware of the powerful popular and military support the Islamic Republic can muster in war conditions." White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: "As the president told me, and he's told all of you, this deal with Iran could end in two ways. It could end in a very positive diplomatic solution, or it could end in a very negative situation for Iran." What Happens Next Iran and the U.S. are scheduled to resume nuclear negotiations on Friday at noon in Rome, with uranium enrichment remaining the core issue likely to determine the outcome of any future agreement. The stakes are high, as failure to reach a deal could escalate tensions and increase the risk of regional conflict.
CNA
22-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Iran's Revolutionary Guards warn Israel against any attack
DUBAI: Israel will receive a "devastating and decisive response" if it attacks Iran, Tehran's Revolutionary Guards said on Thursday (May 22), days after CNN reported US intelligence suggesting Israel was making preparations to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. "They are trying to frighten us with war but are miscalculating as they are unaware of the powerful popular and military support the Islamic Republic can muster in war conditions," Guards spokesperson Alimohammad Naini said, according to state media. Tehran and Washington will hold a fifth round of nuclear talks on Friday in Rome amid strong disagreement over uranium enrichment in Iran, which the US says is a possible pathway to developing nuclear bombs. Iran denies any such intent. It was not clear whether Israeli leaders have made a final decision on military action and there was disagreement within the US government about whether the Israelis would ultimately decide to attack, CNN added, citing intelligence officials. A collapse of US-Iran negotiations or a new nuclear deal that does not alleviate Israeli concerns about Iran developing nuclear weapons could motivate Israeli strikes against its regional arch-rival, diplomats say. On Tuesday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said US demands that Tehran stop enriching uranium are "excessive and outrageous", state media reported, voicing doubts over whether talks on a new nuclear deal will succeed. Tehran maintains its nuclear energy programme is exclusively for civilian purposes.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iran's Revolutionary Guards warn Israel against any attack
DUBAI (Reuters) -Israel will receive a "devastating and decisive response" if it attacks Iran, Tehran's Revolutionary Guards said on Thursday, days after CNN reported U.S. intelligence suggesting Israel was making preparations to strike Iranian nuclear facilities. "They are trying to frighten us with war but are miscalculating as they are unaware of the powerful popular and military support the Islamic Republic can muster in war conditions," Guards spokesperson Alimohammad Naini said, according to state media. Tehran and Washington will hold a fifth round of nuclear talks on Friday in Rome amid strong disagreement over uranium enrichment in Iran, which the U.S. says is a possible pathway to developing nuclear bombs. Iran denies any such intent. It was not clear whether Israeli leaders have made a final decision on military action and there was disagreement within the U.S. government about whether the Israelis would ultimately decide to attack, CNN added, citing intelligence officials. A collapse of U.S.-Iran negotiations or a new nuclear deal that does not alleviate Israeli concerns about Iran developing nuclear weapons could motivate Israeli strikes against its regional arch-rival, diplomats say. On Tuesday, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said U.S. demands that Tehran stop enriching uranium are "excessive and outrageous," state media reported, voicing doubts over whether talks on a new nuclear deal will succeed. Tehran maintains its nuclear energy programme is exclusively for civilian purposes. Iran and Israel engaged in direct exchanges of fire last year, in April and October, raising the risk of regional conflict.
