Former IRGC chiefs urge national cohesion, say enemies failed to break Iran

Two former chief commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) have called for national unity, resilience and continued resistance following the recent US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran, warning that attacks on the Islamic Republic’s leadership must not go unanswered.

Speaking on Sunday, Mohsen Rezaei, the military adviser to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, said retaliation was “part of the path of the Islamic Revolution” but stressed that it should not be viewed as its ultimate objective.

“Retaliation never means the end of the Revolution. Alongside it, the continuation of the Revolution is also of great importance,” Rezaei said, referring to the US-Israeli assassination of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

He said the Iranian nation had suffered a direct emotional blow after the enemy “killed our father,” and questioned how a country “from the other side of the world” could carry out such actions against Iran despite international law recognizing the right of nations to defend themselves.

The former IRGC chief said protecting the position of the Leader was essential, describing it as inseparable from religious authority and the Quran.

He warned that if assassinating national leaders became an accepted practice, “no country will remain secure.”

He also condemned US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for crossing the Islamic Republic’s “red lines,” saying such actions required “a decisive and proportionate punishment.”

The US and the Israeli regime launched their illegal war of aggression against Iran on February 28 by assassinating Ayatollah Khamenei, alongside some of his family members.

However, forty days later, on April 8, the enemies were forced to accept a ceasefire amid Iran’s brave resistance, successful retaliatory operations, and powerful grip on the Strait of Hormuz.

On June 17, Tehran and Washington signed the Pakistan-brokered MoU, which calls for a permanent end to hostilities across all fronts and includes a commitment from both sides to hold further talks on a final agreement in the next 60 days.

Iran stands ‘resolutely’ to establish own arrangement in Hormuz Strait: Army

Iran’s Army voices the readiness of the entire armed Forces to defend the nation’s rights and establish the arrangement envisioned by the country in the Strait of Hormuz.

Rezaei also criticized Washington’s policies, saying those responsible for assassinating Ayatollah Khamenei simultaneously spoke of rebuilding the country and promising investment, remarks he censured as inconsistent with their actions.

Achieving victory, he went on, required “faith, vigilance and steadfastness” and God had promised believers victory provided they did not weaken in the face of the enemy.

Iran possessed the capability to confront its adversaries but must not underestimate them, instead continuing its course through “resistance, perseverance, prudence, unity and cohesion,” he added.

In separate remarks, Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi, senior military adviser to the commander-in-chief, said supporting the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, preserving national unity and preventing social divisions were the country’s most urgent priorities.

Safavi said the United States and the Israeli regime had entered the recent war to weaken the Islamic Republic, undermine domestic cohesion and reshape regional dynamics, but had failed to achieve those objectives.

Although Iran suffered losses, including military commanders, scientists and civilians, he said, the country’s defensive capabilities, political structure and the nation’s resolve remained intact.

Drawing a parallel with the Ashura uprising, Safavi said the blood of the “martyred Leader of the Revolution” and others killed would strengthen the spirit of resistance among free nations beyond Iran’s borders.

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