Tehran (Rajeev Sharma): Iran is prepared for a prolonged confrontation with the United States and could seek to sustain the conflict until the end of US President Donald Trump’s term, a senior adviser to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has said, as tensions remain high over the Strait of Hormuz.
Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi, an adviser to the IRGC commander, made the remarks during an interview with PBS NewsHour. His comments came against the backdrop of reports that the Trump administration could consider ending hostilities if Tehran agrees to reopen the key maritime route.
Naqdi argued that keeping the conflict going could serve Iran’s broader objective of building a stronger deterrent against future attacks.
Tehran says Washington has failed to achieve its goals
According to the Iranian official, the US entered the conflict with ambitions that included removing Iran’s leadership and undermining the country’s territorial integrity. Naqdi claimed that neither objective had been achieved.
He said Iran could gain further military experience if the confrontation continued and maintained that the conflict had exposed shortcomings in US military strategy.
Naqdi also described Washington’s reported changes in its objectives as evidence of uncertainty in its approach to the war.
Strait of Hormuz remains at centre of tensions
The Iranian official’s comments also focused on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important routes for energy shipments.
When questioned about vessels travelling through the waterway, Naqdi argued that Iran had the right to take action against routes it considers threatening while the two countries are at war.
The issue has become particularly sensitive because any prolonged disruption in the strait could affect international shipping and global energy supplies.
Iran claims growing missile, drone production
Naqdi further claimed that Iran maintains a large supply of missiles and drones and continues to manufacture additional weapons.
He said Tehran’s production capacity allowed it to replenish its stocks even while carrying out military operations. The comments could not independently establish the scale of Iran’s current weapons inventory.
On the possibility of a US nuclear strike, Naqdi said he believed the international community would prevent such an escalation. He argued that the geopolitical circumstances of today were different from those that existed during World War II.
‘Death to America’ slogan explained
The IRGC adviser also sought to draw a distinction between Iran’s hostility towards the US government and its attitude towards American citizens.
Naqdi said Tehran does not regard the American people as its enemy and maintained that the country’s familiar “Death to America” slogan is directed at US leadership.
He also rejected the suggestion that Iran’s ideological objectives depend on possessing nuclear weapons, instead pointing to what he described as the influence of Islamic and revolutionary values.
Naqdi’s remarks indicate that Tehran is preparing for the possibility of a lengthy confrontation rather than relying solely on a quick diplomatic settlement. With the Strait of Hormuz remaining a key point of contention, the statements add to concerns that the current crisis could continue to have wider regional and international consequences.
