Iran's Parliament Speaker Vows War to Continue Until Enemy's Calculus Altered
In a defiant statement, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has asserted that the Islamic Republic now views the United States and the Israeli regime as indistinguishable in terms of the severity of their actions against the Iranian people. This declaration comes amid escalating regional tensions and ongoing military engagements.
Accusations Against Trump and Netanyahu
Ghalibaf, in a post shared on social media platform X, made a striking accusation against former US President Donald Trump. He remarked, "Trump was duped by [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu into starting the war and is now acting under his control." This comment underscores Tehran's perception of the conflict's origins and the dynamics between key international players.
Further clarifying Iran's diplomatic and military stance, the Speaker noted that due to what he described as a "major crime they have committed," Iran no longer makes "any distinction" between the United States and the Zionist regime. This blurring of lines signals a hardening of Iran's position as the conflict intensifies.
IRGC's Ongoing Retaliatory Campaign
Mirroring this defiant political stance, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has confirmed the launch of the 48th phase of its retaliatory campaign. According to reports by state broadcaster Press TV, this latest offensive targets various Israeli and American installations across the region.
In a statement released on Saturday, the IRGC announced the "successful execution of the 48th wave of its ongoing retaliatory Operation True Promise 4 against Zionist and American targets." This operation was reportedly carried out in coordination with the Lebanese resistance group, Hezbollah, highlighting the collaborative nature of the strikes.
Targets and Weaponry Deployed
Military officials identified the primary targets within the occupied territories as being situated in the northern sector, specifically focusing on:
- Galilee
- Golan
- The occupied city of Haifa
Beyond these areas, several "American bases throughout the region" were also struck during this stage of the conflict. The 48th wave utilized a sophisticated mix of weaponry, including:
- Solid-fuel Kheibar Shekan missiles
- Liquid-fuel Qadr missiles
- Attack drones
This follows the earlier completion of the 47th wave, which took place on Friday and targeted strategic locations such as the Negev Desert, including Nevatim, home to one of the largest airbases in the region. Other strikes during that phase were directed at Be'er Sheva, described as a technological hub, and the city of Lod.
Expansion of Strikes and Psychological Impact
Notably, the IRGC also reported hitting al-Udaid, identified as the "United States' most important airbase in the West Asia region," located in Qatar. The operation further extended to the hiding places of the anti-Iran Komala terrorist group, employing both solid-fuel Kheibar Shekan missiles and liquid-fuel Qadr missiles.
Press TV further reported that during the 46th wave, which also occurred on Friday, the IRGC utilized Khorramshahr, Kheibar Shekan, Emad, and Qadr missiles. Highlighting the impact on the ground, the Corps noted the psychological toll of the strikes, stating, "Siren to siren and a scramble to enter shelters, this is the current state of the Zionists at this moment."
Defensive Measures and Escalation
Since the onset of hostilities late last month, the IRGC has reportedly deployed hundreds of ballistic and hypersonic missiles as well as attack drones. On the defensive front, the Corps claimed to have downed five invading aircraft on Friday, including Orbiter 4, Hermes, and MQ-9 Reaper drones.
Military records cited by the state broadcaster indicate that a total of 114 reconnaissance and combat drones have been neutralized by Iran's advanced air defense systems since the start of the aggression. In a final escalation of the psychological campaign, the IRGC has reportedly begun sending Hebrew text messages to residents within the occupied territories.
The warning message stated, "By the permission of God, we will bring upon you days of darkness in which you will wish for death, but you will not find it." This move aims to instill fear and uncertainty among the population, further complicating the conflict landscape.
Ghalibaf's firm position on the future of the military engagement remains unchanged, declaring that "the war will continue until the enemy's calculus is altered and they are driven to regret." As the IRGC continues its series of successful and decisive waves of unrelenting retaliatory strikes, the regional conflict shows no signs of abating, with both sides entrenched in their positions.
