A senior commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) recently discussed Iran’s ability to attack United States forces in the region, noting that sinking aircraft carriers is not difficult. Commander of the IRGC Aerospace Forces Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh also told the Fars News Agency that US troops based in the Middle East do not concern Tehran, as they give Iran the potential to strike America with missiles.
“Today, one of our short-range missiles can function as an intercontinental missile because they have been based near us,” Fars quoted Hajizadeh as saying.
Iran has been suspected of aiding terrorist forces attacking the US forces in Iraq and Afghanistan, although Iran has refrained from openly launching military strikes against the US in what resembles a low-level cold war. Iranian officials have employed aggressive rhetoric against the US military in the past without acting on it.
Despite the conclusion of the US war in Iraq, multiple American military bases are maintained in Arab countries in the Middle East, as well as troops in Afghanistan. In addition, the US has sent aircraft carriers into the region on numerous occasions.
The Iranian military commander, whose comments were published by Fars in English on Saturday, also addressed their ability to strike the large American naval vessels.
“It is a misconception that an aircraft carrier can be put out of action only if it is sunk. First, sinking an aircraft carrier is not a complicated task,” said Hajizadeh. “Second, an aircraft carrier is equipped with so many advanced, delicate, and sensitive devices… that it could be incapacitated by even the smallest explosion in every corner of it.”
The militant comments come as Iran has agreed to re-enter nuclear negotiations with the international community, which is represented by the P5+1—the US, the UK, France, Russia, China and Germany. After a meeting earlier this month in Turkey, the sides are set to reconvene in Iraq on May 23.
(By Staff, www.themideastupdate.com, April 28, 2012)