The chief commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Major General Hossein Salami, warns Saudi Arabia that its media campaign aimed at stoking tensions in the recent riots in Iran will backfire on the Riyadh regime.
Faraan: Iran warns the Al Saud regime to “mind its behavior and control its media [outlets] or [the actions] will backfire on itself,” Salami said while addressing the units of the IRGC’s Ground Force participating in a large-scale military exercise in Iran’s northwestern border regions.
He gave Saudi Arabia an ultimatum, cautioning it against interfering in Iran’s internal affairs through the kingdom’s news media outlets that seek to lead the Iranian youths astray. He stressed the importance of maintaining national security as a principled policy of Iran and reminded the neighbors that the Islamic Republic pursues the policy of friendship and fraternity as long as the enemies hatch no plot against it.
The IRGC chief said any change in the geography of the region is Iran’s red line, adding, “We are a brother of any country and power that is interacting with us properly. We call on our neighbors to resolve their problems through interaction and non-military approaches.”
“We have interests in the region, and if any change takes place in any part of the region and our interests are threatened, then we will not remain neutral and will defend our national interests,” the IRGC chief pointed out. Salami’s remarks came as Saudi-sponsored media have stepped up their rhetoric against Iran amid the recent protests and deadly riots in the country following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody.
Iranians have held protests over the passing of Amini. However, some extremist elements derailed the protests and incited violence against security forces. Western-backed media outlets have also encouraged violence. Iran says it will not allow interference in its internal affairs.
