Iran will defend itself at any cost, senior security official Ali Larijani said on Monday as tensions escalate between Tehran and both the United States and Israel. His remarks come as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced it has carried out extensive strikes on targets linked to the two countries.
The statement Iran will defend itself reflects Tehran’s hardening tone amid the third day of the US-Israeli attack, which has widened regional fears of a prolonged confrontation.
Larijani’s message on Iran’s readiness
Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, wrote on X that the Islamic Republic continues to “defend itself fiercely, along with its six-thousand-year-old civilization.”
He added that Iran will “make its enemies regret their miscalculation,” framing the current confrontation as a defensive response to the ongoing assault.
Prepared for a long conflict
In another post, Larijani stressed that Iran has “prepared itself for a long war,” suggesting that Tehran anticipates continued escalation. His remarks followed a series of Iranian strikes launched in response to the US-Israeli attack that began on Saturday.
IRGC says 500 targets struck
The IRGC announced on Monday that its forces have attacked 500 military targets linked to the United States and Israel across the region.
Details of the Iranian strikes
According to an IRGC statement, Iranian forces have struck “60 strategic targets and 500 US and Zionist-affiliated military positions,” saying more than 700 drones and hundreds of missiles were launched in the operations.
Scale of military operations
Multiple branches of Iran’s armed forces took part in the strikes, which Tehran described as a direct and necessary response to the ongoing US-Israeli attack now in its third day.
Regional implications of the escalation
The expanding confrontation raises concerns about wider instability across the Middle East.
Key background points:
• Tension has escalated throughout the month following reciprocal military operations.
• Iran has deployed hundreds of drones and missiles in its latest response.
• Official statements indicate Iran is preparing for a potentially extended confrontation.
Why the escalation matters for Iraq
• Iraq is highly exposed to regional security shifts due to geography and political interconnectedness.
• Continued military escalation could disrupt energy markets and trade routes critical to Iraq’s economy.
Conclusion:
Larijani’s comments and the IRGC’s announcement highlight an intensifying confrontation, with Iran signaling it will continue responding to US and Israeli attacks. The situation remains fluid and carries significant implications for the region.
