Iran threatens a “decisive and effective” response to any attack.. What did its Defense Minister say?

Iranian Defense Minister Mehrdad Akhlaqi confirmed on Sunday that his country is firmly pursuing the implementation of the strategy of immediate, effective and proportionate response to any threat, at any point and without geographical restrictions, stressing that the scope, timing and repercussions of the Iranian defense response will not be determined by the threatening party.

The semi-official Iranian Tasnim news agency quoted Akhlaqi as saying: “We have carefully and carefully received the strategic measures and orders of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, His Eminence Ayatollah Sayyed Mojtaba al-Husseini Khamenei, addressed to the senior commanders of the Armed Forces. These measures have drawn the road map and strategic direction of the country’s defense system in the next stage, and have made our responsibility in maintaining security, independence and national power heavier.”

He added: "We affirm that the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Support considers itself committed and responsible not only for receiving and understanding these directives, but for implementing them and achieving them on the ground and turning them into tangible defense achievements. All the organizational, industrial, scientific and technological capabilities of the Ministry of Defense will be harnessed in the service of achieving these measures."

He continued: "Our message is clear to every party that threatens Iran's security and national interests: any attack will be met with a proportionate, decisive, and effective response. The scope, timing, and repercussions of Iran's defensive response will not be determined by those who threaten it. We possess the readiness, will, and ability necessary to defend the country's security and national interests."

The Iranian Minister of Defense noted, “The Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Support will work to implement these measures relying on the unique capabilities of Iranian experts and scientists, the capabilities of defense industries, knowledge-based companies, and the country’s enormous human capital, and in full cooperation with the General Staff of the Armed Forces and the rest of the armed forces.”

He concluded his speech by saying: “Our message is clear: Iran will not be surprised in the face of the threat; it will not stop in the face of pressure; and in the path of scientific and technological progress it will not be limited by the calculations and will of others. We will forcefully transform the measures of the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces into programmes, procedures and achievements, and we will not delay a moment in preserving the country’s security, independence and territorial integrity.”