Translation by resistancenews.org
Press conference by the Commander of the Aerospace Forces of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Ali Hajizadeh, on January 10, devoted to the Iranian strikes against al-Assad US Airbase.
Transcript:
The assassination of the martyr Hajj Qassem Soleimani was one of the greatest strategic mistakes in the history of the United States. These strikes were only the beginning of considerable transformations and developments in the region and around the world.
The vengeance of the blood of the martyr Soleimani and our other dear martyrs lies in the triggering of a phase which had to be implemented (sooner or later). As the Supreme Leader Sayed Khamenei said, May God preserve him, ‘The revenge for the blood of the martyrs will drive the US forces out of the region.’ Our missile strikes against one of the most important American bases in the framework of our ‘Operation Martyr Soleimani’ were the start of a major operation that will continue throughout the whole region.
This operation was somewhat different from our previous operations targeting ISIS, which were unilateral operations in which we targeted the various terrorist groups without facing any response from the enemy. But in this strike against the United States, our perspective was different, and we were almost certain to be attacked. This is why all of our units were on high alert, ready to face the enemy, and at least ready for a limited war; and we had also prepared for a large-scale war. So all our units in the various divisions were ready to move on to the next operations in the event of an American response, namely to bomb all the American bases in Iraq and in the countries of the region.
For this operation against the al-Assad base, the choice of the target was very important for us, and in the early morning (following the day of the martyrdom), we were able to identify the bases which were involved in the terrorist operation which caused the martyrdom of the Commander of the al -Quds Forces of the IRGC.
These were the bases of al-Taji (located near Baghdad), Ayn Al-Assad (180 km from Baghdad), the martyr Mowaffaq base in Jordan, and the Ali Al-Salem base in Kuwait. All these bases participated in this joint terrorist operation which was carried out with the help of units located there.
The first option for us in this revenge was the al-Taji base, but a few hours before the operation, we changed the target and chose Ayn al-Assad.
The reason is that the Taji base was close to Baghdad and the Kadhimiya mausoleum, and that it is a common base for both Iraqi and American forces. In addition, we feared that missile attacks and explosions would disturb civilians. So we chose Ayn al-Assad, the largest American military base in Iraq and even in the entire region.
The targets we chose were aimed at hitting the American war machine, the American Command Control Center, American planes, American helicopters and a group of facilities that they used as ammunition depots or for support and maintenance, which was considered the first strike of the operation.
But we were ready to continue the operation, depending on the reaction of the enemy. Without reaction from the US, our attack would have been limited to Iraq and the targeted US bases in Iraq. But in the event of an American response, these operations would have been extended to include American bases in other countries in the region.
The al-Assad base, which has been targeted by Revolutionary Guard missiles, is the largest US base in Iraq, and the most distant from Iran.
We used missiles with a range of 500 km for Operation Martyr Soleimani; during the attack, we used Fateh-313 missiles and long-range missiles such as the Intifada missile with a range of 700 km.
The affected facilities and equipment, such as helicopters and the helicopter maintenance unit, were completely destroyed. The operation was not intended to kill soldiers, and that is why we did not target the barracks and did not seek to deliver a fatal blow. We targeted American military vehicles and destroyed the Command Control Center, its assets and key facilities.
Their Command Center has been destroyed and there are certainly many casualties.
Our main objective was to instill insecurity and terror in their hearts, but if they persist (to occupy our region), other places will be targeted.
It was one of the most strategic American bases in Iraq, six kilometers wide by eight kilometers in length, and the current President visited it recently because it was well-equipped and safe.
Despite their so-called missile shield systems, all of our missiles were fired (and hit their target), and no antimissile missiles were fired at our missiles.
Yes, it is interesting to note that the Americans did not fire a single shot on our missiles which hit all of their targets with precision.
Although they had a large number of planes and defensive equipment around the base of Ain al-Assad, they could not confront us.
The President said that everything is fine and that there are no losses, while the United States did not allow journalists to film the base and assess the damage. The Pentagon said it was assessing the losses.
It was a slap from Iran in the face of the United States, in a preliminary response to their crime. Resistance movements in the region must take additional punitive measures.
The balance of losses is unknown. We are very pessimistic towards the enemy, and if they make the slightest mistake, our response will certainly not be as modest as this strike; on the contrary, our response will certainly be decisive.
It was a major operation, disarming one of its largest military bases, and there obviously were some fatalities. The operation is modest compared to the (value of the) blood of the martyr Soleimani and the other martyrs, and the price of this martyrdom will be the expulsion of the United States from the region. But militarily, it was a very large and very complex operation.
The Americans were not ready to respond to the attack, as their statements reveal. They strove to overcome this crisis without losing face. Beforehand, they had threatened us and said they would destroy 52 major Iranian targets in the event of an Iranian retaliatory strike to the killing of martyr Soleimani, but they dared not do anything.
Since the Second World War, there has been no open attack by a State against the Americans or their interests. No formal military action has been taken against the United States since the Second World War. We have clearly demonstrated that those days are over, and that the decision to strike directly at the United States had been taken unanimously within the country and forces of the Resistance Axis. Thank God the operation was carried out with great care and success. Supreme Revolution Leader Sayed Khamenei also said that if they bombed any target, we would hit ten targets in retaliation. And this round ended like this (because the United States chickened out).
The Islamic Republic of Iran, the United States and the region are entering a new phase. We must be convinced that the future will see major upheavals that no one can ignore. In my opinion, the very will to carry out this operation was more important than the operation itself.
Five minutes after the operation, we launched a major electronic war, hacking American drones flying over the area. We chased them and cut the video and communications links, and it was a big blow for them because they were a great many.
We fired four missiles at other American bases in Iraq, but we were ready to launch several hundred missiles within an hour or two. We thought this conflict could last two to three days to a week (if it did not spread to an all-out war) if the two sides exercised restraint, and that is why we also prepared our special missiles.
We did not seek to kill anyone in the operation, but dozens were killed and others were injured, some of whom were evacuated from Iraq by planes. If we had wanted to kill American soldiers, we would have designed the operation differently. We could have killed at least 500 soldiers in the first salvo, and if they had fired back, we would have changed our strategy and no longer felt any obligation to spare the lives of American forces, and in the second and third salvo, more than 5,000 people would have been killed in two hours.
When asked why the Americans did not launch a war against Iran, the Commander of the IRGC’s Aerospace Forces replied:
They conduct their politics through propaganda, intimidation and media operations. They will definitely win against disarming countries, but they cannot win against a country like Iran. Because the Islamic Republic of Iran is a big & strong country.
If the Americans are to achieve any goals of theirs in Iran, given Iran’s vast territory, they will need to strike thousands of points, including military bases, and oil and economic facilities. Iran for its part has only to focus on specific areas to target, namely a handful of American bases that can be likened to prisons in the sense that the American forces are gathered there (and cannot flee anywhere). The largest of them was Ayn al-Assad, with an area of 50 square kilometers, so their military and human positions (in our sights) are very clear, and we can destroy them with a limited number of missiles and offensive capabilities.
The Americans had created security for themselves by intimidating others, but that security has disappeared. Today, the security and the spirit (of impunity and conquest) of the US army have disappeared.
The American people waste their lives and spend all their money so that American officials devote part of it to electoral campaigns and another to support the Zionist entity, which means that the Zionists live from the pockets of the American people. But they should know that these expenses have so far been unprofitable. It is in their interest to leave the region at the lowest possible cost. They must leave voluntarily from Iraq, Afghanistan and the Arab countries. What I know about the Resistance and the forces that are forming and regrouping in the region is that if the Americans don’t leave the region by themselves, they will suffer major losses (that will force them out).
The United States has defined the Arab Gulf States as vital points for them. I invite the countries of the region to follow the example of the decision of the Iraqi Parliament and the Iraqi people to order the United States to withdraw from their country. Similarly, the Kuwaitis, the Qataris, Oman, the Afghans and the United Arab Emirates must decide to expel the United States; because if they don’t, the Resistance movements will take the decision and the Americans will have to leave the region (by force).
This sounds very reasonable and well put, on a much higher civilized level the you would hear from Trump, Pompeo or Esper.
truly hope the bombardier downed in afghanistan was the work by the Iranians and the talibans and just as much wish that the cia man michael whatever was sitting strapped stone cold dead in his seat when the group of under-educated fucked-up white trash from the fly over states helicoptered in to retrieve the bodies from the wreckage.
Vain hopes as always. Now go back to sleep and enjoy your delusional wet dreams.
Just a cool meme: https://imgur.com/a/CfQcnHz
You hold tight to that meme. You’re going to need it when 1000 pound thermobaric warheads from Iran start raining down on israhell.
Oh, I am so very scared of that. Clown.
no you are the Clown..a Satanic jew bastard Clown….and rest assured Little dirty satanic jew…..sooner or later…be it tomorrow or in 100 years… humanity will get rid of ALL JEWS on our planet…which will again lead to Peace between the nations…..
so enjoy the time you satanic jews have left…Little jew…..but when…and it will happen…the truth About your Evil satanic doings on our planet come out..
you fucking dirty stinking lying , stealing, raping, murdering jews are HISTORY.just history…a Episode .. tough Episode for mankind, but still just a fuckign Episode.
I hope not all jews are included as some are perfectly normal and haven’t been brainwashed or infected with zionism. Let’s just rid ourselves of the fucking dirty stinking lying , stealing, raping, murdering jews, and also the fake christians in the west who are so triggered into war.
These anti-zionist orthodox Jews will always be kindly looked upon (except by Zionists, that is): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vVHnXn5Ipes
LOL..,All 100 of them in the world.
That means there are at least 100 jews with the good sense to live outside of the regime.
Nahhhhhh…it means any group has a de minimis few who are total looney toons. For example, whatever group you come from.
Never underestimate the power of minority groups.
Aside: Why do you so often engage in ad-hominems on this forum?
It’s near impossible to underestimate the power of these near non-existent looney toons. Oh, and when in Rome do as the Romans do. This site is filled with folk calling for the genocide of Israel and the Jewish People. Folk who can’t stop with vile and viscous insults and lies, whether they are neo-Nazis or Putz Putin Trolls shamelessly playing at being neo-Nazis.
You counted them personally? Are you perhaps affiliated with the Gallup organisation?
Nahhhhhhhh…just need to review Google and note the coverage of their meetings and gatherings in the US, Israel and elsewhere.
Get your suicide vest and go for it, big guy.
Are you and that iron (means pufta in cockney slang) close personally, or are they in the next cubicle? because the only votes you get for your ramblings are from each other.
Nahhhhhhh…he’s in Israel and I’m in California. And neither of us are here to convert anyone or make friends but to better know our enemies. Oh, and for some entertainment like watching the inmates of a nut house frolic.
Does that make you feel better? Now take your meds.
JEW PUNK lol
zionist swine! rotten piece of shit! ass wipe!
Watch your mouth you little roach, we know how to deal with your kind here.
Get him with a scary army of troll sock puppets?
Not at all, but you are welcomed to come over here and watch it live.
Yep, spewed like the loser you know you are.
Well, maybe. But the 1000 pound thermonuclear warheads in response may just have a bigger bang. Hope your Murdering Mullah butt buddies aren’t as stupid and suicidal as you.
iSSrael never had H-bombs. only pity little A-bombs.
And suddenly, it dawn’s on any truly observant person that a bunch of Russian air defense systems aren’t there to shoot down drones or cruise missiles, but rather, they are there to neuter the Sampson option, and lo’ that’s exactly what they’ve done.
A meme is something that takes of viraly. This one doesn’t seem to have spread beyond you.
Actually, his own Keystone Cops, trigger happy guys, would shoot him down first.
It seems that ME countries have had enough of US democracy and humanitarianism. The decades of violence from successive US invasions has brought about a cohesion between the countries of the ME which would not have been achieved any other way.
US foreign policy and the destruction it brings has consolidated support for a complete US/nato ejection. It’s not before time. Things are not going well for the US in other parts of the world either. Namely South America where 60 odds years of US oppression is also coming to a close.
Ten years from now the world will be a different place, or it won’t exist in a form fit for humans. Neocons and zionists, they all have a death wish to the point of self destruction. They are the control freaks who need to be controlled, otherwise they will kill us all, which they have plans for anyway via the UN and the WHO.
The Iraqi Government just asked NATO to stay and INCREASE its actions there. Try to keep up.
NATO did this regardless of the installed Iraqi government.
You’re obviously tied and emotional and getting your facts muddled.
Maybe take a break from that cubicle.
Hajizadeh is the man
I wonder how cheap he can be killed for?
perfect..straight Forward……as the european jew slave states have no character no Moral anymore, the proud nations of resistance are showing the european jew slave states how to confront the satanic jew zionists cock sucker bastards. bravo bravo bravo
death to america death to Israel curse on the jews- the houthi Slogan-the bravest of the brave
You keep forgetting to put Islam uber alles.
Do note that Israel has been knocking off Islamist Iranian top generals in Syria at will and with impunity. At least the Murdering Mullahs are not as stupid and suicidal as you to try even a token response like this against Israel.
“Knocking off” Iranian generals doesn’t seem to be improving Israel’s security predicament. They just seem to grow bigger and bigger every year, one day they might loom large over Israels borders.
Maybe. But what Israel has if push comes to shove is actually hundreds of times greater than what all those existential enemies have combined over their border.
I think we’ll have to see how the future unfolds to validate the truth of your claim. What we do know is that Israel struggled with 1 brigade of Hezbollah during the 2006 War. This indicates the threat of a focused, if tiny enemy. Israel would be in grave danger if faced by enemies who decided one day to focus their efforts tactically.
And if they posed an existential threat, Israel would use its considerable stockpile of nukes. And the US would approve.
They already pose an existential threat but those weapons have not been employed.
As I said, this is currently in the real of hypothesis. The future often unfolds counter to our intentions. Example, the old RSA possessed nuclear weapons. However the government was forced to capitulate, without ever being able to use their nuclear weapons. The scenario with Israel will very likely to be similar. i.e A combination of internal pressures, tensions on the outside will gradually weaken the state, it’s own extreme reactions to the threats around it will force it to overplay it’s hand like it did in 2006, and at some point internal and external forces will step in to take control of the the Israeli state before it has a chance to use its most powerful weapons.
LOL…Damn, you are delusional. And it’s good those countries and organizations are not as stupid and suicidal as you would like them to be.
I’ll just ignore your responses from now on. They never contain anything of value and comprise mostly textbook logical fallacies.
Since Pearl Harbor, no nation has dared to stare down the world’s biggest bully and thug so blatantly, as Iran did in Iraq with its audacious warning missile strike.
You sure insult the Vietnamese not to mention the North Koreans and Chinese. But if the Islamist Iranians want to do undervalue their top generals and leaders, fine by me.
Neither Vietnam, China or Korea had the temerity to strike a U.S military base in a foreign country, with advance warning nonetheless. All of the above-mentioned countries fought defensively on largely their own territory.
You still insult and belittle the Vietnamese, Chinese and North Koreans who did a great deal of attacking of US forces and bases in other countries. Damn, you are ignorant. The US got a really great deal for Islamist Iran’s very top general and a half dozen of his top military buddies. And the Iranian People are lucky that Iran was lucky not to kill Americans and Trump backed off his usual bluster.
Please refrain from ad-hominems, they indicate an inferior intellect. Please refrain from deviating from the topic of discussion, I am not interested in America’s east asian imperial exploits (I also don’t accept your spurious assertion – there is no belittling going on here except in your imagination).
There is very good reason to believe there are more casualties of the Iranian strikes than the US claimed.
You forget Serbia.
The Iranians are highly rational and cool operators. Admirable.
Well, but sure not good deal makers in this case. However, they did save tens of thousands of Iranians’ lives.
Please enlighten me: Was there a deal in progress? If so, which sides were engaged in it and what was the format of the negotiations? Also interested to know what was “on the table”.
Yes. The Iranians pleaded to be let to take a relatively token shot in return for their very top general and a half dozen of his top military buddies. Mostly for domestic consumption and for their apologists like you. The US said yes, thus saving the lives of likely tens of thousands of Iranians and not having to get into an all out war at this time. If you missed it, that all out war table includes a lot of US tactical nukes just in case. And on the side if Islamist Iran was stupid and suicidal enough to make all out war also with Israel, Israel’s couple of hundred mostly thermonuclear missiles, if need be.
I’m sorry, your story seems completely fictional. It runs counter to the available facts and historical trends. I wouldn’t accept your version of events.
It is a good thing the resolution on Iran has passed. But we still cannot discount the possibility of a well planned retal.
Good to see this. I was wondering if I had gotten what he said right when I heard it in Farsi. Got almost every word.
Well, maybe they have good translators if not good deal makers. The US got their top general and a half dozen of his top military buddies on the cheap.
Damn, that’s a lot of hot air to say the US got the better of the deal. They really really must think their top generals and leaders can be killed on the cheap. Just recently, Israel blew up a couple of more of their top generals and got them for free. What ever happen to the fabled Persian rug deal making? Guess the Islamist types there are the failures who could not make it in the merchant class.
Wow! Thanks South Front for publishing this.