The Iranian defense minister warned his American counterpart to mind his words, following accusations by the US official that the Islamic Republic is militarily active in certain Middle East countries.
“US Secretary of Defense [Ashton Carter] had better go over his past record in this position of authority and reconsider his bully-like and aggressive stances and talk more sensibly and circumspectly henceforth,” Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan added on Sunday, Press TV reported.
Carter had better “save the US more troubles like the ones it is already bedeviled by in Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Yemen, and [also] refrain from provoking the sentiments of the countries of the [Middle East] region by insulting [them],” he added.
On Friday, American magazine The Atlantic published an interview with the US defense chief, in which he alleged, “If you look at where the Iranians are able to wield influence, they are in the game, on the ground” in a number of countries.
Dehqan also wondered how “the complex and apparently powerful and ubiquitous American intelligence agencies” mislead their authorities into [adopting] unreal, irrational and aggressive positions.” The Islamic Republic “is after stability and security in the region,” he said, adding that regional security will come with the absence of US and extra-regional countries and intervention.
The Iranian minister pointed to the strategy of the United States and Israel to perpetuate insecurity, war and bloodshed in the Middle East.
Lost Credibility
“The Americans can no longer hide their hideous and ugly aggressive face behind deceitful slogans. This guise came off years ago and no nation considers the US to be its well-wisher,” he said.
Reacting to Carter’s remarks, Major General Hassan Firouzabadi, the chairman of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, also said the US secretary of defense’s remarks are based on wrong information and reveals a lack of correct perception of regional issues.
“Our policy regarding the neighboring and Muslim countries [is based on] Islamic unity, preservation of Muslims’ interests and independence, and their sovereignty,” he said.
