TEHRAN, Nov. 24
(Mehr News Agency) -- The top advisor to Supreme Leader on military affairs Major General
Yahya Rahim Safavi here on Saturday said that the United States is "highly
unlikely" to launch a military strike against Iran.
However, he said the Iranian armed forces don't
underestimate a possible attack by the U.S. and are prepared to counter any
possible threats against the country.
"We should not be simple-minded," the former Islamic
Revolution Guards Corps commander told students at Khajeh-Nassireddin Tussi
University.
The top general said the Islamic Republic's status
in the region is totally different from those of Iraq and Afghanistan. Iran
plays a key role in the Middle East's developments due to its geo-strategic
situation, he noted.
He stated that Iran has a sensitive and superior
status in Caucasus, Middle East, and Central Asia and the world powers are fully
aware of this privilege.
The former IRGC chief said Iran controls the
northern part of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, adding that Iranian armed
forces, including Basiji forces, are the guarantors of Persian Gulf security.
The United States has failed to achieve its desired
strategies in Iraq and Afghanistan and launching a third military strike in the
Middle East will cause serious military headaches for the U.S., Safavi observed.
He said, "The guards (IRGC) and army have enough
information on movements in the region. Despite the fact that the U.S. is highly
unlikely to attack Iran, since we cannot predict the future we are completely
prepared" to confront any attack.