Iran prepares “decisive and painful” response to Israel, says senior official

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has approved a “decisive and painful” military response to recent Israeli attacks, according to Brigadier General Esmaeil Kowsari, a member of Iran’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission.

The planned response, Kowsari revealed, will be “heavier than True Promise 2,” a previous retaliatory campaign, and is expected to involve coordination with regional “Resistance groups”, Caliber.Az reports via Iranian media.

Iran’s response underway

While CNN reported that Iran’s attack might take place “before the U.S. presidential election,” Kowsari dismissed the report, noting that the timing and manner of Iran’s response are still undecided. “I do not confirm this media report, even though it’s allegedly based on Iranian sources,” he said, adding that these are merely “their own analyses.”

Kowsari emphasized that Iran alone controls the timing and scope of any response. “We make our own decisions, and no one has significant information about the time and place of our response,” he told Iran Watch.

“Legal right to respond” to Israel

Brigadier General Kowsari underscored that Iran views a military response as its “legal right” following recent Israeli strikes. “The enemy committed a vile act and made a grave mistake,” he stated. “Responding to Israel's aggression is fundamentally our legal right, and in due time, we will indeed respond to the Zionist regime’s attack.”

Kowsari noted that any action against Israel would be strategically calculated, with comprehensive plans in place. “When it will take place, the timing and objectives will all be calculated carefully, examining the advantages and disadvantages before, during, and after the action,” he explained. “At the right time, all necessary actions will definitely be carried out.”

Coordination with “Resistance Forces”

Kowsari revealed that Iran’s military plans include close coordination with regional Resistance groups. “The Resistance groups in the region are aligned and in coordination with our military forces to respond to the Zionist regime,” he said. These groups may offer their own suggestions as part of the operational planning. “Iran’s military response to the Zionist regime, in collaboration with the Resistance forces, is certain, and we will indeed take action.”

Security Council backs military response

Contrary to some reports suggesting hesitation among government officials, Kowsari stated that the Supreme National Security Council unanimously approved the response. “The decision on a military response to the Zionist regime has been made by the Supreme National Security Council, with almost all or even all members agreeing to it,” he asserted.

Iran’s message, he said, is unequivocal: “The timing and objectives will be decided by the relevant authorities, and I can say with certainty that it will be much heavier than True Promise 2 so that this vile and corrupt enemy understands that Iran will not retreat. Certainly, and without a doubt, this action will be taken.”

In the same vein, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, declared that Tehran will undertake decisive measures against Israel and the United States in response to what he termed "hostile actions" against Iran and the Islamic resistance forces in the Middle East. "The enemies, including the United States and the Zionist regime, must know that for their actions against Iran and the resistance front, they will inevitably receive a crushing response," Khamenei's press office reported.

By Vugar Khalilov