**Title: Iranian General Asserts Long-Term Capability to Sustain Conflict with the U.S.**
In a recent interview with PBS, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi, a senior commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), expressed confidence in Iran's ability to engage in a prolonged armed conflict with the United States. Naqdi indicated that Iran could sustain this confrontation even if it were to extend throughout the remainder of Donald Trump’s presidency.
Naqdi's comments come at a time when there are reports of increasing pressure on U.S. munitions stockpiles and declining morale among American forces stationed in the Middle East. He articulated Tehran's strategic objective of achieving deterrence, stating that Iran aims to ensure that the U.S. and its allies do not dare to initiate an attack. “We can live with security,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of deterrence in Iran's military strategy.
When asked whether Iranian military leaders intended to prolong the conflict until after Trump’s term, Naqdi suggested that extending the conflict could lead to attrition, making any future attacks on Iran costly for potential aggressors. “One way is to prolong this war until we get to the next term of the presidency,” he explained.
The backdrop of Naqdi's remarks includes a 40-day bombing campaign initiated by Trump against Iran in late February. Despite significant losses, including senior military officials, Iran has managed to maintain control over its territory and has retaliated with attacks on U.S. military installations in the region. Additionally, Iran has sought to exert economic pressure on Washington’s allies and global markets.
The ongoing conflict has become increasingly unpopular among U.S. voters, prompting concerns among Republican leaders as the November midterm elections approach. Trump has fluctuated between threatening further military action and suggesting that Iran is on the verge of accepting a peace agreement favorable to the U.S. Recently, he referred to the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports, which was implemented in April, as a “wall of steel,” asserting that Iran is financially weakened.
Naqdi highlighted the lessons Iran has learned from the conflict, stating, “The longer this war lasts, the more experience we gain.” He noted that the ongoing conflict has provided Iran with valuable insights into military engagement with the U.S., claiming that the Iranian military has gained experience that was previously lacking. “We have also seen how the American military is weaker than what we perceived,” he added.
Furthermore, Naqdi asserted that Iran is capable of producing drones and missiles at a rate that exceeds their usage in the conflict, suggesting that the country could sustain its military efforts for an extended period. He also mentioned that if Iran's stockpiles were to be depleted, the nation could shift its focus to targeting “thousands of [American] economic interests throughout the world.”
The implications of Naqdi's statements reflect a broader strategy by Iran to prepare for a protracted conflict, emphasizing resilience and adaptability in the face of U.S. military actions. As tensions continue to escalate, the international community remains watchful of developments in this ongoing confrontation.