247 – Iran is ready to face a large-scale and long-lasting war against Israel, General Ahmad Vahidi said on Monday (16), in an interview given to the Iranian agency Tasnim News. According to the Revolutionary Guard general, Tehran has already prepared for all possible conflict scenarios and will respond with force to the recent Israeli aggression.

“We are fully prepared for an all-out and prolonged fight against Israeli aggression,” Vahidi said, stressing that Iran will evaluate the most appropriate time to deploy its new weapons. He also mocked rumors that the country has low missile stockpiles: “Iran has not yet deployed its strategic missile power. The new generation of missiles is only a part of what we have.”

Military innovations and escalation of conflict

According to the general, Iran will soon unveil military technological innovations that should change the course of the conflict. “The world will witness our innovations in the coming days,” Vahidi said, assuring that the country is prepared to withstand a prolonged war. “Our conditions will improve in all aspects of the war day by day. We can use other capabilities as well,” he added.

Vahidi assured that Iran has several options to defeat what he called the “Zionist regime.” The statement comes days after Israeli bombings in Tehran and other locations, which hit residential neighborhoods, military installations and even nuclear facilities. According to Tasnim News, the June 13 strikes resulted in the deaths of dozens of civilians, senior military commanders and Iranian nuclear scientists.

Iran has since responded with a series of retaliatory missile strikes against Israeli targets.

Khamenei: “Serious mistake and reckless act”

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei also spoke out after Israel's strikes, calling the move a"grave mistake" that will have devastating consequences."The Zionist regime has committed a big mistake, a grave mistake, and a reckless act," he said.

Khamenei stressed national unity in the face of foreign aggression: “By the grace of God, the consequences of this will bring this regime to ruin. Our armed forces are ready, the country’s leaders and the entire people stand with the armed forces. Today, similar messages have been issued by all political factions and numerous groups across the country. Everyone feels that we must give a strong response to the evil, despicable and terrorist Zionist identity.”

Boiling conflict

The situation in the Middle East remains extremely tense. The exchange of attacks between Iran and Israel represents a new level of regional escalation and raises fears of a direct and prolonged confrontation between two of the main actors in the axis of geopolitical antagonism. While Tehran promises to reveal its military advances, Tel Aviv remains on high alert. The possibility of an open and long-lasting confrontation, with unpredictable consequences, is becoming increasingly concrete.