Iran is ready to deliver a devastating blow to the US.

(Baonghean.vn) - The United States should anticipate a "slap in the face" if it underestimates Iran's defense capabilities, a commander in the Revolutionary Guard declared on February 22.

Mohammad Pakpour, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' infantry, attends a funeral in Tehran in 2009. Photo: Reuters.

Since taking office last month, US President Donald Trump has pledged a tough stance against Iran, warning the Islamic Republic after its ballistic missile test on January 29 that it was playing with fire and that the US was discussing all possible response options.

"The enemy should not make a mistake in their assessment, and if they do, they will receive a devastating blow to the face," the Sepahnews website of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps quoted General Mohammad Pakpour, the infantry commander of the force, as saying.

On February 22, the Revolutionary Guard concluded three days of drills involving missiles, artillery, tanks, and helicopters, weeks after Trump warned that he was "keeping an eye" on Tehran following the missile launch.

The Tasnim news agency quoted Pakpour as saying: “The message of these exercises is to prevent the arrogant people of the world from doing anything foolish. Everyone can see the strength we have on the ground.”

The Revolutionary Guard said they test-fired "advanced missiles" and used drones during a three-day exercise in central and eastern Iran.

Amidst escalating tensions with Israel, a military analyst at Tasnim suggests that Iran's ally Hezbollah could use Iranian-made Fateh 110 missiles to attack Israel's nuclear reactor at Dimona from Lebanese territory.

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said last Thursday that the group, which plays a key role in ending the Israeli occupation of Lebanon, may launch airstrikes against Dimona.

Iran maintains that its missile program is defensive and unrelated to its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. During the US election campaign, Trump labeled the agreement "the worst deal ever negotiated," telling voters he would tear it up or seek a better deal.

Thu Giang

(According to Reuters)