Army chief: US forces to face all-out
military response if set their
‘filthy foot’ on Iran soil
July 22nd, 11:11am
(PressTV)
Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army Major General Amir Hatami
has warned that any US military incursion would face a crushing
military response - saying millions of Iranians would confront
invading forces with everything at their disposal - while the
Armed Forces remain prepared for any act of aggression.
Speaking during a visit to various units of Army Ground Force, Air
Defense Force, and Air Force in the central province of Isfahan
on Wednesday, Hatami said hostile powers had exhausted
every means available against Iran's military personnel
but had failed to weaken their resolve.
“The enemy, driven by its hatred and animosity toward the Army's
fighters, did everything within its power against them. But the
warriors of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran remain
standing tall,” he stressed, adding that the Armed Forces
have continuously strengthened their combat readiness
in anticipation of enemy aggression.
Referring to US expectations during its failed mission in southern
Isfahan, Hatami said Washington had miscalculated the Iranian
people's reaction.
“In the events in southern Isfahan, the Americans imagined that, if
they set foot on Iran, they would be welcomed. Instead, they were
met with widespread hatred - and the unparalleled steadfastness
of the Iranian nation,” he noted.
General Hatami also warned that any foreign military incursion
into Iran --------- would be met with nationwide resistance.
“This proved to the enemy that if it sets its filthy foot on Iran's soil,
it will face millions of people who will confront it with whatever
they have in their hands,” the Army’s chief emphasized.
General Hatami said Tehran had never trusted its adversaries
to honour their commitments and had therefore, continued
strengthening its military preparedness.
“We knew -- the enemy would not remain committed to the
agreement and would commit an act of folly. Therefore,
we did not waste a single moment and took steps to
enhance our combat capability,” he said.
Expressing confidence in Iran's resilience, General Hatami
said the country would ultimately prevail, stressing, “With
divine assistance... we will certainly overcome these
challenges, and the enemy will become even more
regretful for pursuing its sinister objectives.”
He also praised the Iranian people, saying,
“The Iranian nation is a dignified nation
in the world.”
Highlighting Iran's military posture in the region, the
commander said the country had stood up to the
world's leading military powers during 2 wars.
“America - has placed itself in the position of Pharaoh
and imagined.. that no army in the world could stand
against it. But we are standing firm, and we control
the Strait of Hormuz,” General Hatami said.
He further stressed that Iran would respond directly to
any aggression, stressing, “We fire at the Americans.
They must understand that the Islamic Republic of
Iran is a credible power --- and acknowledge the
dignity of the Iranian nation.”
The Army’s chief also noted, that many had expected
Iran to be humiliated, but had failed in that objective.
“Many were waiting - to see the Iranian nation humiliated.
But by the blessing of the blood of the martyred Leader
and that of all the martyrs, and by the will of Almighty
God, dignity and victory belong - and continue to
belong - to the Iranian people,” he stressed.
Praising the Army Air Force, General Hatami said -- one
of its recent operations had attracted global attention.
“The Army Air Force carried out an important operation
that echoed around the world like a bombshell,” he
aid, as an Iranian F-5 fighter had successfully
struck a heavily defended target.
“During one mission, an F-5 aircraft bombed a base where
Patriot missile systems as well as F-15 and F-16 fighter
jets were stationed ----- and returned safely,” the
commander said, adding that the operation
had inflicted further embarrassment
on Iran's adversaries.
“The enemy... simply does not know how to live down this
humiliation. As a result of this successful mission, they
even shot down --------- three of their own F-15 aircraft,”
General Hatami noted.
The remarks come after two rounds of military aggression by
the United States and Israel against Iran over the past year.
The first followed allegations by Washington and Tel Aviv
regarding Tehran's peaceful nuclear program, while the
second saw weeks of attacks targeting military and
civilian infrastructure.
Iran responded -- by launching extensive retaliatory ballistic
missile and drone operations against Israeli and US-linked
military targets --- demonstrating the country’s growing
deterrent capabilities -- and its readiness to respond
decisively ---- to any future aggression.
Iran has repeatedly maintained that its military doctrine is
defensive and that its missile and drone capabilities are
intended to deter attacks --------- and safeguard the
country's sovereignty.
Iranian officials have consistently warned that any violation
of the country's territorial integrity - would be met with a
swift and powerful response targeting the aggressors’
military assets and strategic interests across
the region.
_________________________________________
Hegseth begs Congress for $67 billion
more ........as war on Iran costs spiral
July 22nd, 10:38am
(PressTV)
Secretary of War Peter Hegseth has placed the cost of the US war
on Iran at $37.5 billion while requesting tens of billions of dollars
more from Congress to continue the aggression, as lawmakers
challenge the administration’s claims of success.
During a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Tuesday,
Hegseth said the Iran war had cost the US $37.5 billion so far
and asked Congress for another $67 billion in supplemental
funding to continue the US-Israeli aggression in the
coming months.
The estimate represents an increase from previous Pentagon
figures and includes payroll, operations, maintenance, and
other anticipated expenses to the end of the budget year.
However, the figure does not include the full cost of rebuilding
damaged US military bases, which have suffered extensive
damage from strikes carried out by Iran’s Armed Forces.
A separate internal assessment has placed the overall cost of
the war significantly higher, estimating that the US has spent
between $80 billion and $100 billion when including the
repair of damaged military facilities, replacement of
destroyed aircraft, and the replenishment of US'
weapons stocks.
The growing financial burden comes as Iran’s Armed Forces
have carried out repeated missile and drone strikes against
US military positions and assets ...across West Asia,
damaging US facilities & disrupting Washington’s
regional military presence.
The Pentagon request for additional funding... has also drawn
scrutiny - as President Donald Trump has repeatedly claimed,
without providing evidence ----- that the US had already
achieved victory in the war, raising questions... as
to why Washington requires tens of billions of
dollars more ----- if it has already won.
Democrat senator - calls Hegseth failure
over US-Israeli aggression against Iran
During the hearing, Democrat Senator, Gary Charles Peters, of
Michigan called Hegseth a failure and condemned the Trump
administration for requesting nearly $70 billion in additional
funding .....without presenting a clear strategy to end
the aggression.
“Secretary Hegseth, despite your failure to win this war, you
are back now before Congress asking for almost $70 billion
in additional funding.
“You are asking the American people for a blank check,
because once again, the Trump administration’s
efforts ---- have been an utter and complete
failure to win this war, up to this point.”
Peters also pointed to the deaths of US service members,
the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz and the continued
existence of Iranian missile capabilities --- as evidence
that the administration’s strategy had failed.
“You, sir, are the failure,” Peters told Hegseth, arguing that
troops were being placed in danger because of a lack of
leadership and a long-term plan.
The latest round of aggression against Iran began on
February 28, when US and Israeli forces launched
large-scale strikes on Iranian territory.
Iran responded with daily waves of missiles and drones
targeting US and Israeli assets across the region,
while closing the Strait of Hormuz and
significantly increasing global
energy prices.
Iran and the US later signed the Islamabad Memorandum
of Understanding (MoU) on June 17 aimed at ending the
war across all fronts.
However - renewed US-Israeli military aggression against Iran in
recent days has prompted Tehran to resume missile and drone
strikes against US assets in the region, and close the Strait of
Hormuz once again, triggering another surge in energy prices.
___________________________________________________
Aoun sets conditions for
disarming Hezbollah
Beirut, July 22nd
(Prensa Latina)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun conditioned the
disarmament of Hezbollah - on the end of the
Israeli occupation, the full deployment of
the national army & implementation of
a reconstruction program managed
exclusively by the state, the
press published here.
Aoun laid out those conditions during a dinner hosted by Lebanese
Ambassador to Washington Nada Hamadeh-Mawad in honour of
the president and his delegation, with members of Congress
and U.S. officials in attendance.
The meeting took place... on the last day of his official visit to the
United States, during which he held talks with President Donald
Trump, said a statement released by the Lebanese Presidency.
"Is it really possible to disarm Hezbollah? Yes, but only if we
are honest about what is really required," the head of state
told the attendees.
Aoun asserted that Hezbollah is not a foreign mercenary force, but
an organization made up of Lebanese citizens ...who for more than
four decades underwent extensive ideological, social and military
training, until they became an armed group that operates outside
government control.
In his view, this reality does not diminish the urgency of centralizing
weapons under State authority, but it does require special attention
to be paid ............to the method used to achieve that goal.
The president cited as a reference the processes developed
with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and the
Irish Republican Army, based on disarmament,
demobilization and reintegration.
He noted that the process must begin with the elimination of the
main cause invoked by Hezbollah - to justify the possession of
weapons: the Israeli occupation of Lebanese territory.
The Beirut government is promoting a program -- to concentrate all
weapons under state control, including those of Hezbollah... while
the organization insists on maintaining its arsenal -------------- on the
grounds that it constitutes a resistance movement against Israel.
Israeli forces occupy areas of southern Lebanon -- some for
decades, and during the current offensive they penetrated
more than 10 kilometres into Lebanese territory.
Aoun maintained that the army must assume total and exclusive
control of the territory, for which he called for.... immediate and
unconditional support from the Armed Forces, which he said
are the only legitimate defenders of the country.
The last stage, he added, must consist of reintegration through a
reconstruction program directed exclusively by the State and
accompanied by real economic opportunities, so that
weapons are no longer presented as the
only alternative.
Since March 2, Israeli attacks have killed 4,328 people, wounded
12,230 and displaced more than 1 million, according to figures
from the Lebanese Health Ministry.