Former Head Of IRGC International Relations General Ebrahim Rostami Acknowledges Iran Was Behind The 2019 Fujairah Port Bombings, Adds: Perhaps We Should Manufacture Nuclear Weapons For Deterrence

In a recent interview with Didbaniran.ir on October 15, 2024, former head of the IRGC International Relations General Ebrahim Rostami outlined potential Iranian retaliatory measures in response to an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear or oil facilities. He said that if Israel strikes Iranian nuclear sites, Iran would respond against Israeli nuclear and oil facilities. Rostami said that the Zionist regime's resources are limited, whereas the Iranian resources are vast. He explained that Israel doesn't have more than three oil facilities, and if they are targeted, then Israel is in a bind, while Iran has many oil facilities. Rostami said that Iran has the technological capabilities of building a nuclear bomb and that the only thing preventing it is the fatwa of the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. However, he qualified, this does not prevent Iran from manufacturing a nuclear bomb. Rostami said that Iran's deterrence capabilities far exceed nuclear weapons.

Ebrahim Rostami: "If Israel strikes our oil centers, we have one level of retaliation. If it strikes our nuclear sites, we have another level of retaliation, and if it strikes our military sites, we have a different level of retaliation. We have prepared different retaliatory [attacks] for different scenarios of [Israeli] strikes."

Interviewer: "What if it strikes our nuclear facilities?"

Rostami: "We will strike their nuclear facilities. They need to know that Dimona…We have simulated targeting Dimona several times. If Israel attacks our oil facilities, this would cause problems for the world. We can do things besides striking back.

"The resources of the Zionist entity are limited, whereas our resources are vast. [Israel] has a maximum of three oil sites. If we strike all three, it would be all over for [Israel], whereas if they strike one of our sites, it will not be the end for us. We have built our nuclear facilities in locations where they would not be destroyed with a single bombardment.

"I believe if the Americans join in and carry out a massive attack, then they are capable of causing damage. If they open fire, we will retaliate immediately. You have to take into consideration that we would not exercise any patience. As soon as their aircrafts appear in our airspace, the other side will be hit.

"If one can reach 60% uranium enrichment, rest assured one can achieve the rest as well. The technology [for a nuclear bomb] is already at hand. We have this [ability]. We just did not build it. They know that we have enough enriched uranium to build a nuclear bomb. The only thing that stops us is the fatwa by our esteemed Leader that forbids the manufacturing of nuclear weapons.

"Perhaps under these circumstances, the national security council will conclude that since our enemy is a nuclear power…It is very possible that they will want to create deterrence.

"I can also say that although it is a weapon that cannot be used, [it needs to be manufactured in order to create deterrence. Still, I say that our capabilities of deterrence exceed nuclear weapons.

"In the very secure Port of Fujairah... How were those five [vessels] hit [in 2019]. Nobody knows how.

"There is another issue besides this. Two oil tankers were attacked in the Sea of Oman. These are only the examples that I am allowed to disclose. We have means that far exceed nuclear [weapons]."