Guards Say Iran's Missiles, 'Sphere Of Influence' Are Red Lines

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says its missile program and its sphere of influence in the countries of the region are the redlines that won’t change.

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) made the remarks in a statement issued on Thursday, warning that Iran will give a destructive response to the “enemy’s slightest move” against the country.

“Iran’s missile power, popularity, and regional sphere of influence are associated with the IRGC”, the statement said, adding that it “will give categorical and destructive response to even the smallest mistake of the evil and adventurist enemy against the Islamic homeland”.

The terse statement came as one year of talks to restore the 2015 nuclear deal known as JCPOA have reached a deadlock over Iran’s demand for the United States to delist the IRGC as Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).

The statement went on to say that Iran never defines its deterrence “according to the aspirations, desires and wishes of the rulers of the White House and their evil allies, and will not change it under their pressure, threat or evil media propaganda.”

Earlier in the day, IRGC commander Major General Hossein Salami also boasted about the the combat power of IRGC forces -- especially those deployed to the country’s key islands in the south -- urging the Persian Gulf littoral states to end their dealings with Israel.

The saber-rattling by the IRGC follows recent media reports that an air defense pact between Israel and friendly regional countries is in the works to confront threats posed by Iranian drones and missiles.