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Iran Vows Threatens “Roaring Missiles,” Challenges U.S. Sanctions | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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A ballistic missile is launched and tested in an undisclosed location, Iran, March 9, 2016. REUTERS/Mahmood Hosseini/TIMA


A Revolutionary Guards commander said Iran would use missiles if its security is under threat, as the elite force defied new U.S. sanctions on its missile program by holding a military exercise, reported Reuters on Saturday.

“If we see smallest misstep from the enemies, our roaring missiles will fall on their heads,” the commander said.

“The defense capability and the offensive prowess of Iran’s armed forces would make America or any other enemy regretful of any incursion,” commander of Iran’s ground forces Ahmad Reza Pourdastan was quoted threatening by ISNA.

Despite the heated words, U.S. Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said on Saturday that he was not considering raising the number of U.S. forces in the Middle East to address Iran’s “misbehavior”, but warned that the world would not ignore Iranian activities.

Tensions between Tehran and Washington have risen since a recent Iranian ballistic missile test which prompted U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration to impose sanctions on individuals and entities linked to the Revolutionary Guards.

Trump’s national security adviser Michael Flynn said the
Washington was putting Iran on notice over its “destabilizing activity”, and Trump tweeted Tehran was “playing with fire” “We are working day and night to protect Iran’s security,” head of Revolutionary Guards’ aerospace unit, Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh was quoted as saying by Tasnim news agency.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards is holding the military exercise in Semnan province on Saturday to test missile and radar systems and to “showcase the power of Iran’s revolution and to dismiss the sanctions,” according to the force’s website.