TEHRAN – Major General Hossein Salami, Commander-in-Chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), issued a stern warning to Israeli leaders on Thursday, urging them to abandon reliance on defense systems like the THAAD and avoid “irrational decisions” that could hasten the downfall of their regime.

Speaking at the National Congress of Martyrs of Kermanshah Province, Salami cautioned against the missteps of both Israel and its key ally, the United States. 

“The Zionist regime,” he said, “is a small nation heavily dependent on the sea for 98% of its economy and cannot afford reckless moves. Irrational decisions will only accelerate their collapse.” He further asserted that Israel’s association with the U.S. in military operations has led to global disfavor and a loss of legitimacy, leaving Israel increasingly isolated except for American support.

Salami accused Israel of provoking lasting resentment across generations, warning that this anger “will eventually turn into weapons” against it. 

Calling on the “young men of Lebanon and Palestine” as well as the youth across the Islamic world, he praised their opposition to Israeli actions, which he said stand as symbols of strength against “decayed and outdated” Israeli defenses. “Reliance on a few missile launchers will not save them in a broad battle,” he added.

The IRGC leader described the residents of Kermanshah, a city that shares a 371-kilometer border with Iraq and has a legacy of Resistance, as “guardians of the nation” who epitomize resilience and dedication to both faith and country. Salami highlighted the sacrifices of the Kermanshah province, which has suffered over 30,000 casualties in war, including 9,800 martyrs.

With American and Israeli involvement in regional conflicts under scrutiny, Salami maintained that global superpower influence would not endure, declaring, “Today, the world sees America’s power through the bombs it drops on Gaza and Lebanon’s children.”

The Health Ministry in Gaza reported that over 55 additional Palestinians lost their lives due to continuous Israeli strikes, bringing the total death toll since last year to 42,847. In the ongoing year-long assault on Gaza, more than 100,544 people have been injured, marking a significant milestone of over 100,000 casualties, according to the ministry.

Despite a UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire, Israel has intensified its offensive on Gaza following a Hamas-led assault on October 7, 2023. The conflict has extended into Lebanon, where Israeli actions have resulted in 2,574 deaths and over 12,000 injuries since early October 2023, as reported by Lebanon’s health ministry.