️ Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, has emphasized that the country is prepared to confront a potential invasion by the United States, pledging to capture and kill US troops if they enter Iranian territory. This statement comes as US officials, including President Donald Trump, refuse to rule out deploying forces inside Iran, escalating tensions in the region.
️ Larijani warned that such actions would have dire consequences, stating, "Some American officials have stated that they intend to enter Iranian territory on the ground with several thousand troops." He added a pointed reference to Iran's former supreme leaders, Ruhollah Khomeini and Ali Khamenei, the latter of whom was killed on Saturday in a joint US-Israeli strike: "The valiant sons of Imam Khomeini and Imam Khamenei are waiting for you, ready to disgrace those corrupt American officials by killing and capturing thousands."
️ Larijani, a close adviser to the assassinated supreme leader, is believed to be one of the most powerful figures in Iran. Since the conflict began on Saturday, Israel and the US have dropped thousands of bombs on Iran, with Tehran responding with missile and drone attacks across the Middle East. Trump has claimed that the war is proceeding better than expected, with the US and Israel allegedly controlling Iran's skies and striking the country relentlessly.
️ However, Tehran has projected defiance, vowing to continue fighting to avenge Khamenei and repel the US and Israeli attacks. Larijani said earlier this week, "We will not negotiate with the United States." In the aftermath of Khamenei's death, there have been few signs that Iran's new leadership is willing to engage with Washington, highlighting deep-seated geopolitical rifts.
️ Despite this, Trump has expressed a desire to see Iran's government follow the model set by his January 3 attack on Venezuela, which involved replacing the head of state with a US-friendly figure. In Venezuela, US forces abducted President Nicolas Maduro and transported him to the US for trial. Within days, Maduro was succeeded by Vice President Delcy Rodriguez with US backing. Rodriguez has since cooperated with the US, including allowing the Trump administration to sell millions of barrels of Venezuela's oil.
️ Trump told The New York Times on Sunday, "What we did in Venezuela, I think, is the perfect, the perfect scenario." On Wednesday, he added that he would like to be "involved in the appointment" of Khamenei's successor, as he had been "with Delcy in Venezuela." Trump also voiced opposition to Mojtaba Khamenei, the slain supreme leader's son and a frontrunner to succeed his father, claiming he seeks someone to bring "harmony and peace to Iran."
Source: www.aljazeera.com