Iran: We are at very sensitive, fateful stage
Commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard Ali Jafari says Islamic Republic's biggest threat is 'soft war', including economic sanctions, espionage and computer viruses
While Israeli officials talk about the closing window of opportunity for a military strike in Iran, the commander of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard says the "Islamic Revolution is at a very sensitive and fateful stage."
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Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari noted that the biggest threat to Iran is a "soft war" launched by its enemies. He did not define the term, but it usually refers to measures like economic sanctions, espionage and sales of faulty equipment, as well as computer viruses.
'Iran needs the paramilitary Basij forces' (Photo: AFP)
His comments were posted on the Guard's website Friday.
Speaking at a conference in Tehran, Jafari said that the "revolutionary forces need to be loyal and aware of the situation," adding that Iran needs the paramilitary Basij forces (a national militia that helps the regime at times of war and keeps the order at times of peace) to protect it.
"The basij shouldn't think they are only helping to protect the revolution in military realms. The biggest threat on the Islamic Republic is the 'soft threat'," he said, referring to non-military struggle.
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While most Iranians support the nuclear program, a new picture of a graffiti slogan reading "nuclear energy, at what price?" was posted on social networks in the past few days, revealing the heavy cost Iranian citizens are paying for their government's dispute with the West.
The West has tightened sanctions to persuade Iran to stop enriching uranium, suspecting that Iran aims to build nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear development program is for peaceful purposes.
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