IRGC official claims Israel provoking US-Iran conflict

General Hossein Daghighi, a senior advisor to the chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), has stated that Israel seeks a direct conflict between Iran and the United States, but Tehran will not allow this to happen.

He described a war with Iran as "inadmissible" and assured the Iranian people of the strength and vigilance of the country’s armed forces, Caliber.Az reports per Russian media.

Daghighi noted that a military conflict is a long-held ambition of Israel, which he claims is currently in a "very weak and fragile state." He emphasized that security is a "red line" for Iran, asserting that Israel would ultimately face defeat while Iran would prevail. He referred to an October 1 missile attack on Israel, claiming it had compromised the Iron Dome air defence system, and warned that any future assaults would be "more crushing."

Addressing speculation in Western media about the supposed disappearance of Iranian Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani after an Israeli strike on Beirut, Daghighi stated that such rumours should be dismissed. He explained that Qaani's absence is due to his focus on his duties within the IRGC.

On October 1, Iran launched a significant missile strike against Israel in retaliation for the deaths of high-ranking officials from Hamas, Hezbollah, and the IRGC. While Iran claimed that 90 per cent of its missiles struck their intended targets, Israel countered that most were intercepted. The Israeli military has indicated it will choose the right moment for a counterstrike, while Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has warned of larger-scale attacks to come.

By Vafa Guliyeva