&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Iran has ‘solid defensive shield’ against threats, claims IRGC chief Ahmad Vahidi as Trump ramps up economic war")
Iran has built what it describes as a "solid defensive shield" against external threats, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps chief Ahmad Vahidi said amid heightened tensions with the United States.
In a message to Iran's Defence Ministry chief marking National Defence Industry Day, the newly appointed Iran Revolutionary Guards commander-in-chief said the country was facing new forms of "combined and military aggression".
"The battlefield is faced with new forms of combined and military aggression," Vahidi said, according to Al Jazeera. He claimed Iran had established a "solid defensive shield against the threats of the enemies and ill-wishers of Iran".
Vahidi backs Iran's defence strategy
Vahidi praised Iran's defence industry for developing what he described as the country's defensive and offensive capabilities and deterrent power despite years of sanctions.
He called for the continuation of Iran's "Strategy of Defensive and Offensive Empowerment", describing it as the "only intelligent and efficient solution" to the threats facing the country.
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His remarks come as tensions between Tehran and Washington remain high following US President Donald Trump's announcement of a major new economic pressure campaign against Iran.
Trump announces ‘Economic D-Day’
Trump has described his latest campaign as the "most crushing economic operation ever taken" against Iran.
The US president said Washington would target Iran's economic lifelines, including oil smuggling, financial transfers, exchange houses, ship registries and front companies. "Oil smuggling, swap lines, cash transfers, exchange houses, ship registries, front companies -- It all needs to stop now," Trump wrote on Truth Social.
He also called the campaign an "Economic D-Day" and urged US allies to support Washington's efforts to isolate Iran.
Trump has separately claimed that US military operations have weakened Iran's military infrastructure and reiterated that Tehran must not acquire nuclear weapons.
"We're essentially controlling and soon will be controlling the straits. We're doing very well with Iran," Trump said in an interview with 77 WABC.
Iran rejects US pressure campaign
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi rejected Washington's approach, arguing that previous US sanctions campaigns had failed. "14 years ago: 'Most crippling sanctions in history.' Failed. 8 years ago: 'Maximum pressure.' Failed," Araghchi wrote on X. He described the latest US measures as "Bound to fail".
"We have seen this movie before. Same bull. Different bullies," Araghchi said.
Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said Tehran will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until Washington fulfils commitments under a 14-point Memorandum of Understanding.
Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.
