Iran armed forces ready for "crushing response" if US attacks: Former IRGC commander Rezaei

Tehran [Iran], January 16 (ANI): A former chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has stated the Iranian Armed Forces are fully prepared to deliver a "crushing response" if the United States carries out any fresh act of aggression against Iran, Iranian state broadcaster Press TV reported.
Rezaei made the remarks in an interview with the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN) on Thursday after US President Donald Trump stepped back from earlier threats of attacking Iran, under what the report described as the pretext of supporting foreign-linked rioters.
Referring to the 1980s Iraq-imposed war, Rezaei said that by the second year of the conflict, Iranian forces had liberated over 90 per cent of occupied areas, entered Iraq and remained there until the war ended, despite appeals from the United States and the Soviet Union to halt operations. According to Press TV, Rezaei claimed the move ensured Iran's security for "40 to 50 years."
"We advise you to step back and not advance any further... You do not pay attention to our restraint and strategic patience in the face of the damage you have inflicted on us over the past 50 years," he said, addressing Trump.
"If we are forced to return to the kind of Sacred Defense period we experienced from the second year onward, rest assured you will face serious problems," he added.
Rezaei, who currently serves as a member of Iran's Expediency Council, also said Iranians do not want a war but would respond collectively if attacked. "We will maintain our brotherhood and friendship with all countries, but your bases are within our reach. Your bases are at half the distance between us and the Israeli-occupied territories; you will be harmed," he warned, referring to American bases in West Asia, as per the report.
He further claimed that wars, assassinations and coups targeting Iran had pushed the country to advance significantly in intelligence and security, adding that ongoing pressure would also contribute to progress in economic and military technology fields, Press TV reported.
"Trump has said his finger is on the trigger. God willing, we will cut off that finger so it becomes a lesson in US history," he warned.
Rezaei also alleged that the Americans were waiting for public unrest in Iran to stage an attack from within the internal turmoil. He said Monday's "million-strong rallies" across Iran in support of the Islamic Republic had foiled the alleged US plot.
"The situation is critical, but our armed forces are prepared," he said, adding that "our finger is on the trigger."
The report said some shopkeepers last month staged peaceful demonstrations in several cities over economic issues, but the protests were steered towards violence after public statements by US and Israeli figures, amplified by Israeli-linked Persian-language outlets, encouraged vandalism and disorder.
The authorities, the report added, acknowledged economic grievances and promised corrective action, while accusing foreign-backed elements of exploiting livelihood concerns linked to unilateral US sanctions.
Security and judicial bodies have claimed they dismantled armed cells and arrested foreign-backed operatives during the unrest, including alleged agents of the Israeli spy agency Mossad.
Press TV further reported that Trump has, in recent days, repeatedly threatened military action against Iran if, as he claimed, the country kills what he described as "peaceful protesters."
Iranian officials and military commanders have issued warnings in response, stating that any attack on Iran would turn American bases and assets in the region into "legitimate" targets. (ANI)