TEHRAN - Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, the Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff, said on Sunday that Iran may adopt an offensive approach to protect its national interests.

“To protect national interests, territorial integrity and independence our major strategies are based on defense, however this does not mean that we simply act defensively and passively in tactical and operational approaches,” he said on the sidelines of a ceremony.

The senior general reiterated Iran’s long-held position that Tehran does not seek to attack any country, yet it will not hesitate to respond strongly if the country’s security is put at risk.

“We do not intend any aggression against other countries, however, we may adopt offensive approach to protect our national interests. Iran would not sit idly if anyone seeks to take aggression against us and endanger the country’s security,” he asserted.

The remarks by General Baqeri comes as the Iranian Army flexed its muscles on Friday and Saturday with a focus on “offensive” tactics.

The “offensive” component was inaugurated in the country’s deterrence strategy for the first time last December, when the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) held the main and final stage of massive exercises in the Persian Gulf.

NA/PA