IRGC general urges readiness for 'major operation' against US, Israel

A senior Iranian commander on Friday called on the country and its regional allies to prepare for what he described as a “major operation,” warning that the United States and Israel were at their weakest point in decades.

“Everyone must be ready for the big operation,” said Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi, deputy coordinator of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), during a speech in Karaj. “The US and the Zionist regime are at their weakest point in history. We must bring the mission we started 46 years ago to a proud conclusion — and that moment is near.”

Naqdi’s comments follow a letter sent by US President Donald Trump to Iran’s Supreme Leader, giving Tehran two months to accept a new nuclear agreement or face the prospect of a military response. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed on Thursday that Iran had issued a formal reply and sent it through Oman.

Speaking again on Friday during Quds Day rallies, Araghchi said Washington's letter had been carefully reviewed. “Some parts of it were threatening,” he said. “We will not allow anyone to speak to the Iranian people in the language of threats.” He added that efforts had been made to keep a diplomatic window open.

Quds Day, marked across Iran on the last Friday of Ramadan, saw officials delivering a range of messages in response to growing US and Israeli pressure over Tehran’s nuclear and regional activities — with military commanders adopting a combative tone, while others struck a more measured stance.

Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, commander of Iran’s army, described the day as “a global stand against oppression,” saying more people each year were opposing the actions of the United States and Israel. “The key message of Quds Day is that the end of the Zionist regime is near, and that the rights of the oppressed will be restored,” he said.

Iran has rejected Trump’s ultimatum and maintains that it will not negotiate under pressure. Meanwhile, regional tensions continue to rise. On Thursday, Israel said it intercepted two missiles launched from Yemen, where the Iran-aligned Houthi movement has claimed responsibility for multiple drone and missile attacks in support of Hamas.

The United States has responded with ongoing airstrikes on Houthi targets since mid-March and has warned it will hold Tehran accountable for any further attacks.

To reinforce its regional posture, the US military has deployed B-2 stealth bombers, C-17 cargo planes, and aerial refueling tankers to its base on Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean — a move seen as preparing for sustained long-range operations.

Iran’s ambassador to Iraq, Mohammad Kazem Al-Sadegh, said this week that Iran’s regional allies remain active. “The resistance in Lebanon is still strong and capable. The resistance in Yemen is active,” he said. “The axis of resistance remains and is alive.”