TEHRAN – General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri, the chief of the joint staff of Iran’s armed forces, issued a stark warning to the enemies on Monday, vowing a strong response to any aggression.

Speaking at a ceremony marking the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq war, General Bagheri asserted that the Islamic Republic of Iran has a unique strength.

“If one day the enemies dared to attack Iran militarily, and we were worried about Khuzestan and Ahwaz, but today, thank God, with the power and authority of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the enemies no longer dare to invade, attack, or even think of doing so,” he said, according to Tasnim News.

He added, “Today, Iran's security is unparalleled, despite the efforts of enemies and [their] sedition and conspiracy. In the past days, they promised to bring chaos to Iran and they tried to stir up trouble in the country again, but with the vigilance of the Iranian people and the determination of the armed forces, their plot was thwarted.”

The top general continued, “Today, the army, the IRGC, the police and the heroic Basij, with the support of the Ministry of Defense, have formed a unified body to defend Iran. We have seen a complete security platform in the country, which will be a prelude to the uprising of the Hidden Imam.”

He said, “The armed forces have their finger on the trigger so that the enemy does not dare to threaten the country again. We tell them to abandon the idea of aggression against Iran. We promise not to compromise with the enemies of Iran and the Revolution and we will stand against them with authority.”

General Bagheri has recently criticized the deployment of foreign military troops in the region, emphasizing the necessity for the Persian Gulf governments to work together to secure the region.

In a meeting with Commander of Royal Army of Oman Major General Matar bin Salim bin Rashid al Balushi last week, General Bagheri said, “We believe that the security of the Persian Gulf region must be provided through interaction and cooperation among the regional countries.”

The military chief emphasized the nations of the Persian Gulf are capable of ensuring regional security without the presence or involvement of foreigners.

He also underscored the armed forces of Iran and Oman’s operational, intelligence and training competence, saying that the two nations’ mutual experience-sharing will help improve regional security.