A top-ranking commander of the Iranian special forces issued a direct threat to President Donald Trump over the outcome of war between the two countries.
Major General Qassim Soleimani, who leads a special forces unit of Iran’s elite Revolutionary Guards, has been quoted as stating that if the U.S. attacks Iran it “will destroy all that you possess.”
To Iranian President Rouhani: NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 23, 2018
The outburst is seen as a response to Trump’s tweet warning Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani to “never, ever” threaten the U.S.
According to reports citing the Iranian news agency Tasnim, Soleimani said Thursday that it was “my duty to respond to your threats,” before adding “Talk to me, not to the president (Rouhani). It is not in our president’s dignity to respond to you.”
The commander then engaged in the sort of language likely to worsen relations between the United States and the Islamic republic.
“We are near you, where you can’t even imagine. Come. We are ready.”