Iran vows to equip resistance forces against US, Israel

Maj-Gen Hossein Salami, the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), has warned the United States and Israel that the Islamic Republic and the resistance front will arm themselves with whatever is necessary to confront their adversaries.

Salami's message comes on the occasion of the National Day against Global Arrogance, which marks the anniversary of the seizure of the US embassy in Tehran back in 1979, Caliber.Az reports per Iranian media sources.

In his address on November 3, General Salami labelled the US as the "archenemy" of the Iranian nation and referred to Israel as a "rabid dog" and the "criminal and terrorist Zionist regime."

He asserted that the forces of Islamic resistance in the region would respond decisively to what he termed the "front of evil."

Salami emphasized that the resistance front and Iran would not only prepare for confrontation but would do so without fear of intimidation from the threats issued by leaders in Washington and Tel Aviv.

He stated, "We will equip ourselves with whatever is necessary to confront and overcome the enemy."

In a related statement on November 2, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei echoed these sentiments, asserting that the actions of the enemies would not go unanswered. He warned that both the "Zionist regime" and the United States would face a "crushing response" for their actions against the Iranian nation and the resistance front.

The supreme leader did not elaborate on the timing of the threatened attack, nor the scope. The US military operates on bases throughout the Middle East, with some troops now manning a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, battery in Israel.  

Following warnings by Khamenei, the United States has deployed B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers to the Middle East. The bombers arrived in CENTCOM's area of responsibility from the 5th Bomb Wing at Minot Air Force Base, underscoring the US’s commitment to maintaining stability in the region amid escalating tensions.

The B-52 Stratofortress is a long-range, heavy bomber capable of performing a range of missions, including strategic attack, close-air support, and maritime operations. Known for its ability to carry nuclear or precision-guided conventional ordnance, the B-52 has a "worldwide precision navigation capability," the US Air Force stated. It can fly at high subsonic speeds, making it a versatile tool in both conventional and strategic military scenarios.

By Khagan Isayev