Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Yahya Safavi: In Time of War, We Can Recruit an Army of 12 Million within 48 Hours

Following are excerpts from an interview with Yahya Safavi, General Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps, which aired on Channel 2 Iranian TV, on June 7, 2007:

Yahya Safavi, General Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps: The pressure on yours truly since the [Iran-Iraq] war is much greater than the pressure during the war. During the war, we were on one side of an embankment, and the Iraqi enemy was on the other side, whereas now, our enemies – the Americans – are in Afghanistan, in the Persian Gulf, and in Iraq. We are facing an enemy that is not from the region. This enemy has come to us. Let's face it, this enemy is a great bully.

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If, God forbid, we face a disaster during war, each of our [Revolutionary Guards] brigades will recruit ten "Ashura" battalions from among the Basij troops, and that way, they will turn into a division.

Interviewer: Is this feasible?

Yahya Safavi: Yes. Each one of our ground force brigades can recruit ten "Ashura" battalions of Basij troops, and thus become an operational division.

Interviewer: Can this be done quickly?

Yahya Safavi: Within 48 hours. This is a great deterrent force. The Americans are terrified about attacking Islamic Iran. They know that not only do we have the army and Revolutionary Guards, but that within 48 hours, we can confront America with a popular army of 12 million.

Interviewer: At least 12 million...

Yahya Safavi: That's right. It is a deterrent force. [The Koran] says: "Prepare for them whatever force an steeds of war you can, to strike terror into the hears of the enemies of Allah and your enemy." This is a deterrent force. The Americans realize that they are dealing with a courageous people, and with youth, who are constantly vigilant, and who, at the blow of a whistle, are ready to confront the Americans and to defend [Iran].