US Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz
US Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz has told Iran to "get its act together" or prepare to "meet General [Qassem] Soleimani," referring to the late Iranian commander who was martyred by the US military during a diplomatic mission in Iraq in January.
In an interview on Thursday, Gaetz warned Iran against taking any hostile actions against US forces and vowed that despite Washingtons unwillingness to engage in open hostilities, it will respond to what he called "terrorism."
"The US doesnt seek a war with Iran [...] under President Trumps doctrine, we are not going to engage in endless foreign wars, but we will take out terrorists. So, the message is very clear to any Iranian official that would engage in terrorism: Either get your act together or get prepared to meet General Soleimani," Gaetz said.
He said that US President Donald Trump had already warned Iran about the consequences of "harassing" US warships patrolling the Persian Gulf.
He went on to predict that any "war" with the US will be lost by Iran.
On January 3, the US assassinated General Soleimani, commander of the Quds Force of Irans Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraqs Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), and a group of their companions in Baghdad. The operation was conducted with the authorization of Trump. The Pentagon took responsibility for the assassination.
On Wednesday morning, Trump stepped up his anti-Iran threats saying that he has instructed the US Navy to destroy Iranian boats "if they harass" US ships in the Persian Gulf.
"I have instructed the United States Navy to shoot down and destroy any and all Iranian gunboats if they harass our ships at sea," Trump tweeted.
Trumps reaction came following a recent confrontation between US warships and Iranian boats in the Persian Gulf.
The chief commander of Irans Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on Thursday warned that Iran will target American vessels if they were to threaten the safety of the countrys vessels or warships.
"We declare to them that we are absolutely determined and serious in defending our national security, water borders and maritime interests, and that any move [against us] will be effectively and swiftly met with a decisive, effective response," Major General Hossein Salami said.
Commenting on Trumps provocative statement, American political analyst Stephen Lendman said, "Time and again I explained, ignore what US politicians say. Follow only what they do."
"I consider US war on Iran possible but highly unlikely. It would be an act of madness if the US goes this far. Pentagon commanders understand it. Trump is a geopolitical know-nothing," he added.
SOURCE: PRESS TV
LINK: https://www.ansarpress.com/english/16265
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