Iran to firmly respond to potential US threats: Cmdr.

Iran Press TV

Mon Mar 2, 2015 8:43AM

A senior Iranian commander has dismissed as "foolish" the US threat of military action against Iran over its nuclear program, saying the Islamic Republic will firmly respond to any potential threat.

"In case of [any] foolish military action by the US against Iran, we will show the true power of the Islamic Republic to Americans," Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Massoud Jazayeri said on Sunday.

Jazayeri was reacting to the Sunday remarks by US Secretary of State John Kerry, who said he cannot promise a nuclear deal with Iran, but will test whether diplomacy efforts can prevent the need for military action.

Jazayeri further reiterated that the Islamic Republic will not renounce its inalienable rights to nuclear energy.

The Iranian commander pointed to the defense capabilities of Iran's armed forces and said, "Our fortified defense as well as large-scale and scattered offense will force the US to leave the strategic region of West Asia."

Kerry's remarks come as Iran and the P5+1 countries are making attempts to narrow their differences on the outstanding issues related to Tehran's nuclear program.

In an attempt to bridge their differences ahead of a key July 1 deadline for reaching a comprehensive deal, representatives from Iran and the United States held three rounds of talks in the Swiss city of Geneva on February 22 and 23.

YH/NN/HRB