Brigadier-General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan

Iranian general: Attacking us is suicidal

Tehran's ground forces chief warns West against mounting offensive strike; says it enjoys military supremacy, no enemy 'able to challenge Iran'

Dudi Cohen|Published: 04.20.11 , 10:34

Commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Forces Brigadier-General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan said Wednesday that a military offensive against the Islamic Republic would be "suicidal."

Speaking at a meeting with foreign military attachés in Tehran, held in honor of the country's National Armed Forces Day, Pourdastan said that reports suggesting any Western nation may mount an attack on Iran were "nothing but a bluff and psychological warfare by our enemies."

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The Iranian military, he added, enjoys military supremacy, and is also on high alert: "Iran's military power today in unparalleled to anything in the past. Our armed forces have in their possession the most advanced military and defensive equipment, thanks to Iranian experts and scientists.

"There is no enemy nowadays that can attack Iran; it would be like committing suicide," he declared.

Iran marked its National Armed Forces Day on Monday. At the main ceremony of the day, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said the Islamic Republic's army was one of the world’s most powerful militaries, adding that "the age of Zionism and capitalism has passed."

Ahmadinejad further said that "certain Western countries seek to create divisions between Iranians and Arabs and between Shias and Sunnis and urged regional nations to be vigilant.

The arrogant powers are making efforts to sow discord in the region. They are trying to provoke regional divisions and wars among nations and governments in order to sell their weapons,” he stated.