IRGC Commander Reveals Details of Naval Confrontation with Israel
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) disclosed that the Israeli regime had targeted 14 Iranian ships to obstruct oil exports, leading to Iranian retaliation by targeting and capturing 12 Israeli vessels, effectively halting a further naval confrontation.
“When we struck (captured) the fifth Israeli ship, they raised their hands (in surrender) and agreed to cease the naval confrontation,” Major General Hossein Salami stated during a visit to the Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters.
“They targeted 14 of our ships to prevent our oil from being exported. We didn't know who was behind it at first because it was done so covertly, but we eventually figured it out: the Zionist regime. We targeted 12 of their ships, and when we had the fifth, they raised their hands (in surrender) and declared the naval confrontation over.”
He further said, “The British seized our ship in Gibraltar, and we seized the Stena Impero ship in exchange, prompting their surrender. They seized two of our ships in Greece, we took two of theirs, and they eventually surrendered.”
General Salami reflected on the past six years, marked by sanctions, the COVID-19 pandemic, and political isolation attempts.
“Our enemy placed us at the crossroads of sanctions, the COVID-19 pandemic, (former US president Donald) Trump (who was no less harmful than COVID-19), the threat of military operations, and pressure for political isolation," Salami said, recounting challenges such as the assassination of Lt. General Qassem Soleimani and the impact of economic sanctions.
"They tried to politically isolate us. We needed to create deterrence against these threats in multiple directions. First, we needed to secure the shipping lanes. When the Americans attempted to seize one of our ships, our forces prevented it, and the Americans were left humiliated. Following this, the enforcement of sanctions began to deteriorate," Salami stated.
Additionally, he praised the IRGC’s success in countering extremist threats abroad and safeguarding Iranian oil tankers, noting that American threats failed to materialize after the IRGC simulated an operation to capture a US tanker.
"We succeeded in closing off all the paths the enemy had opened against us, and today the safest shipping routes are those used by Iranian ships. The Americans threatened to seize two of our oil tankers as they headed to Venezuela. I went out with General Tangsiri and simulated an operation to capture an American tanker, which we announced over the radio. When the Americans saw this, our tankers arrived safely,” he stated.
He also highlighted the IRGC’s efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, including vaccine production and the Faithful Assistance Movement, ensuring no family affected by the crisis was left vulnerable.
General Salami concluded by pledging the complete support of the IRGC and Basij for the government, emphasizing their commitment to the administration's success. He underscored that the relationship with governments is founded on "loyalty and honesty," and affirmed that they are prepared to serve as much as their capabilities are utilized.