Khamenei Defense Advisor IRGC General Hossein Dehghan: We Are Ready to Retaliate Tenfold against Any American Action; Human Casualties Are A Sensitive Issue for the U.S.

IRGC General Hossein Dehghan, Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's advisor on defense affairs, said in a December 16, 2019 interview on Al-Alam TV (Iran) that Iran does not view the recently confirmed American plans to send 7,000 additional troops to the Middle East as an indication that there might be a military confrontation between the U.S. and Iran. He said that Iran is ready to retaliate tenfold against any American action and that more American troops in the region make for an "easy target" for Iran. He added: "Ever since the end of the Vietnam War, the most sensitive issue for the Americans has been the bearing of human casualties."

Interviewer: "A week ago, the Pentagon announced that it will be sending 7,000 soldiers to the region. Before that, the U.S. had sent 3,000 soldiers to Yemen. In Iran's view, does this constitute a plan for or threat of confrontation?"

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General Hossein Dehghan: "Basically, what I can say is that the Americans think that Iran will not retaliate if they do anything against it, out of consideration for its interests. But with the measure Iran took – the downing of the American drone – Iran proved that it is serious in its determination to retaliate against any possible action against it, and that it was ready to do so. Therefore, we do not view the current situation as a threat to us. On the other hand, if we examine the other side of this coin, we can see that they have provided us with an easy target. If they decide to strike us, we will strike back tenfold. As you know, ever since the end of the Vietnam War, the most sensitive issue for the Americans has been the bearing of human casualties."