'Enemy will no longer dare attack': Iran's navy issues warning to US forces

Iran’s Northern Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Mohsen Razzaqi has warned US forces in the region against any aggression, saying coordination among the country’s armed forces is at its highest level and naval units remain prepared to defend its maritime borders round the clock. Speaking at a ceremony in the northern coastal city of Astara, Razzaqi described human resources as the most important asset of the army navy. He said naval forces, including missile and drone units as well as commandos, maintain a continuous presence to protect Iran’s waters. “The cost of any aggression against Iran must be raised to such an extent that the enemy will no longer dare attack the country again,” he said, according to the IRNA news agency. Razzaqi said Iran’s military strategy extends beyond simply bringing hostilities to an end and focuses on imposing prohibitive costs on any aggressor. He cited the country's missile, drone and naval capabilities, strategic geographical position and the steadfastness of its people as key elements of its deterrence strategy. His remarks come amid a series of warnings from Iranian officials and military commanders signalling the country's preparedness to respond to any renewed aggression. Earlier, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei warned the US in a post on X, saying: “Start a war, and you’ll face a devastating response.” In late October, Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Khamenei ordered “maximum deterrence”, directing military commanders to ensure an immediate and effective response, without geographical restrictions, in the event of another attack on the country. The directive also called for maintaining intelligent combat readiness to decisively counter threats and continuously updating target banks. The latest warning from Tehran comes after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced the formation of a new task force to disrupt Iran's alleged use of land transit routes to transport advanced weapons, dual-use technologies and other sanctioned materials. According to a CENTCOM statement, Task Force Iron Gate was established on Saturday under the direction of CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper. The task force will comprise approximately 20 civilian and military personnel based in Tampa, Florida. It will coordinate with other US government agencies to prevent the movement of advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials and illicit revenue streams across Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea, as Washington seeks to tighten restrictions on Tehran's military supply networks.