Iran’s capabilities vast; enemy’s ‘maximum pressure’ policies all failed miserably: Senior official

A senior Iranian official described the Islamic Republic’s capabilities as extensive, noting how the United States and the country’s other enemies’ “maximum pressure” policies have failed in the face of its power.

News ID: 5642

Date: 24 December 2024 - 12:03

TABNAK, Dec 24: “Our capabilities are vast, and our adversaries are well aware of our potential, both latent and active," Kamal Kharrazi, head of the Islamic Republic's Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, told Lebanon’s al-Mayadeen television network.

"These ‘maximum pressure’ campaigns have all failed miserably," he said, referring to how the former US administration of Donald Trump would try to force the country into doing Washington’s bidding under duress by taking it under sanctions and other coercive measures.

Kharrazi underlined the importance of strength and deterrence as essential components of Iran's response to such conspiracies, noting, "Since the [country’s Islamic] Revolution's inception, our path has always been one of resistance and empowerment.”

The official, meanwhile, pointed to the Israeli regime’s actions targeting the Islamic Republic simultaneously with the US as a means of Tel Aviv’s trying to adversely affect the country’s nuclear energy activities and supposedly curtail its regional influence.

Alongside Washington, Tel Aviv has long been trying to “overthrow” the Islamic Republic, including through threatening the country’s nuclear energy program and territory, he said.

Kharrazi was also asked if Tehran viewed the threats seriously, to which he said the concept of a joint American-Zionist plot aimed at targeting Iran was neither new nor surprising.

"These threats remain consistent, and we must resist them. We possess the capability to confront and respond to such threats, as we have done before," he underscored.

‘Iran to naturally respond to threats’

The official, however, warned that continuation of such hostile efforts entailed “natural response” on the part of Iran.

“Iran is targeted, it is natural for us to respond, as we have consistently done so far."

‘US-Israeli project in Syria’

The official referred to the United States and the Israeli regime’s push that resulted in the Syrian government’s ouster earlier this month, citing Tel Aviv’s intense bombings of the Arab country in the run-up to its overthrow as a case in point.

In addition, Washington’s eagerness to see the Syrian government go was "evidenced by American officials’ immediately heading to Damascus to meet with [the Arab country’s new] opposition leaders and even canceling the bounty placed on the capture of Abu Mohammad al-Julani,” head of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham militant group that ousted the Syrian government on the back of Israeli strikes and American support.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Kharrazi predicted that the regional Axis of Resistance would, however, sustain the regional American-Israeli projects amid consistent support on the part of the Islamic Republic.

As long as Israeli aggression and occupation persists, the resistance will continue, he said, asserting, "The roots of resistance are strong and solid, to the extent that its spark cannot be extinguished by such scenarios, wars, the martyrdom of its leaders, or the fall of certain regimes."

‘Yemen to remain steadfast, unafraid of war’

Kharrazi commended the Yemeni Armed Forces’ numerous pro-Palestinian operations since the onset of the Israeli regime’s war of genocide on the Gaza Strip last year.

"The Yemenis have defended themselves and Palestine with honor," he said, noting their success in disrupting Israeli operations in the Red Sea. “Their targeting of ships heading to Israeli ports has reportedly rendered these ports non-operational and driven them toward bankruptcy,” Kharrazi stated.

He further highlighted Yemen's growing military capabilities, pointing to recent hypersonic missile strikes that directly hit Tel Aviv, causing significant damage.

‘De-dollarization drive’

Kharrazi also hailed China’s de-dollarization drive, saying, "We commend China's efforts to diminish the dollar's dominance and promote alternative financial systems.”

“Iran also supports engaging with emerging international systems like the BRICS [group of nations], the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the New Development Bank," he explained.

Future of Iran-Saudi ties amid regional shifts

The official praised the positive trajectory of Saudi-Iranian relations following recent agreements and reciprocal visits between officials of both states.

"We aim for both Iran and Saudi Arabia to play a pivotal role in ensuring security, stability, and peace in the region," he said.

In the same context, the official stressed the importance of regional cooperation, stating that "A united and capable region is the best deterrent against external threats."