WANA (Mar 08) \u2013 In a televised interview late Saturday night, Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC), analyzed the objectives of the ongoing military conflict at the conclusion of its eighth day. Larijani asserted that the primary aim of the United States and the Israeli regime is the total fragmentation of the Iranian state.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
U.S. and Israel Targeted Iran\u2019s Territorial Integrity<\/p>\n
Larijani stated that the core issue for Washington and Tel Aviv is the \u201cdisintegration\u201d of Iran. \u201cTheir problem is \u2018Iran\u2019 itself. They were not seeking a minor change but the total breakdown of the country,\u201d he remarked. He noted that the intensity of the initial attacks, including the \u201cmartyrdom of Imam Khamenei and other children of the revolution,\u201d was designed to achieve this rapid collapse.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
He added that the enemy\u2019s strategy relied on a \u201cshock\u201d doctrine to facilitate an immediate overthrow followed by the carving up of Iranian territory. \u201cEven today, Mr. Trump\u2019s published message claimed Iran is being torn apart. They were pursuing disintegration, though they are being more explicit about it this time.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Comparing the situation to previous U.S. interventions, Larijani noted, \u201cThey thought they could replicate what they did in Venezuela here, but a different mindset prevails in Iran. They wanted to trap the people in a state of shock and awe, but they failed because the Iranian people have seen such trials before, as we see every year in the Husseini epic.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Americans are Now Desperate\u201d<\/p>\n
According to the SNSC Secretary, the American strategy was a high-intensity, short-term war. \u201cThey did not expect the Iranians not to let go; now they are desperate,\u201d he said. He emphasized that the attempt to break public morale and disrupt governance failed. \u201cThe next step was to collapse the people\u2019s livelihood\u2014cutting off fuel, bread, and resources\u2014but the government worked hard. Despite high volumes of travel, supplies remain sufficient.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Larijani dismissed rumors of military defections: \u201cThey claimed many military commanders contacted them to join their side; well, introduce two of them to us. The IRGC, the Army, and the Basij are on the field; who do they think is firing these missiles?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Kurds Recognize U.S. \u201cTransactional\u201d Nature<\/p>\n
Addressing U.S. efforts to incite ethnic groups, particularly Kurds, Larijani stated: \u201cThey tried to provoke the Kurds, but they forgot they are among the most authentic Iranian ethnicities. While there may be differences, Kurds saw what happened to them in Syria! Kurds are wise; they know the Americans treat them transactionally and have no loyalty.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
He added that armed forces sent a clear message to militant groups that any misstep would be met with force, noting that these groups are well aware of both the Iranian military\u2019s power and the U.S. unreliability.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTrump Does Not Understand\u201d<\/p>\n
Larijani condemned attacks on schools, hospitals, and nurseries, characterizing them as a move to pressure the population. \u201cI saw today Mr. Trump said they are targeting parts of the people who haven\u2019t been hit yet. Why? Because despite all his efforts, the people did not respond to him.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cTrump does not understand,\u201d Larijani continued. \u201cIranians may have differences, but they stand by Iran. They have seen the experience of your intervention in the region\u2026 You are not concerned for the people! You took Venezuela and said you\u2019d take their oil and give them money!\u201d He also mocked Trump\u2019s suggestion that he should decide Iran\u2019s future leader, calling it \u201cbackward\u201d and an insult to a civilized nation.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
U.S. Soldiers Captured in Some Countries<\/p>\n
Regarding Donald Trump\u2019s claim that a conversation with Netanyahu suggested a strike would lead to their goals, Larijani warned: \u201cYour \u2018temptation\u2019 [Trump] has wasted all American interests. The American people should know the cost they are paying. They admit losing a trillion dollars in the stock market by day five. The entire region is in crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
He challenged the reported U.S. casualty figures: \u201cThey lie when they say five or six people were killed! Occasionally they say twenty died in an accident. I have even heard that in some areas and countries, their soldiers have been taken prisoner.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
Relations with Regional Countries<\/p>\n
Larijani emphasized that the \u201cmajesty\u201d of the U.S. in the region has been broken and that regional countries realize the U.S. can no longer provide security. \u201cThe countries of the region are our friends\u2026 During the Iraq-Iran war, almost all of them backed Saddam, yet we did not retaliate.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
He recalled a private meeting with Sultan Qaboos, who shared that before the 1980 invasion, Saddam\u2019s deputy had requested Omani cooperation, promising to be in Tehran within a week. Larijani noted that even when Saddam later attacked Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, Iran did not retaliate against those who had supported him.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, he issued a stern warning: \u201cIf they are to provide bases for the U.S. to operate from, we have clearly stated we will strike those bases. This is our right.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
U.S. Bases Remain Permanent Targets<\/p>\n
Commenting on reports that regional officials no longer trust the U.S., Larijani asked, \u201cIf Israel has attacked us, why do you allow it to use your bases? It is Iran\u2019s right to respond\u2026 and this policy remains permanent.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
He characterized potential strikes from Azerbaijan as \u201cmischief\u201d likely orchestrated by Israel to embroil other countries in the conflict. \u201cWe have no problem with Azerbaijan, but if actions are taken against Iran from these countries, we will deal with it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAmericans Should Know We Won\u2019t Let Them Go\u201d<\/p>\n
Larijani described the current state of U.S. and Israeli leadership as \u201chysterical\u201d and in its \u201clast gasps.\u201d He advised Trump to admit his mistake of putting \u201cIsrael First\u201d instead of \u201cAmerica First.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Americans should know we won\u2019t let them go. You left a scar on our hearts that we will not abandon. We will show you what \u2018temptation\u2019 really means.\u201d He added that there is no division among Iranian officials in the fight against the U.S. and Israel.<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey Must Pay Compensation\u201d<\/p>\n