CENTCOM: Iran's Threat is Graver than Ever

CENTCOM Commander General Kenneth F. McKenzie (File photo: AFP)
CENTCOM Commander General Kenneth F. McKenzie (File photo: AFP)
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CENTCOM: Iran's Threat is Graver than Ever

CENTCOM Commander General Kenneth F. McKenzie (File photo: AFP)
CENTCOM Commander General Kenneth F. McKenzie (File photo: AFP)

The commander of the US Central Command, General Kenneth McKenzie, has said that Iran is the most immediate threat to the US interests in the Middle East and the region's security in general.

McKenzie warned that "the threat posed by Iran is graver than ever."

Speaking at a hearing held by the Senate Armed Services Committee, McKenzie explained that Iran's threat extends from its proxies in Yemen to Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and even the border with Israel.

"Houthis have targeted Saudi Arabia's largest cities and its critical oil infrastructure. Recently, the Houthis have raised the stakes further by using the same high-end Iranian weapons," said the commander.

McKenzie indicated that Iran is the main reason that prevents a solution to the Yemen crisis, saying: "Houthis are prepared to further escalate this conflict using whatever means the Iranians put at their disposal, even at the risk of inflicting mass civilian casualties and threatening American forces."

"CENTCOM continues to support diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Yemen."

He said that Tehran also supports its militias in Iraq and Syria to launch a continuous campaign of indirect attacks against the US and coalition forces, hoping to push them out of the region.

He noted that Iran had developed ballistic missiles that "could be configured to deliver them and has conducted numerous launches to test those missile systems. These actions continue to demonstrate Iran's defiance and willingness to undermine international norms with threats against US interests and those of our partners and allies."

The official reported that Iran has developed and amassed sophisticated ballistic missile forces and is at the cutting edge in developing aerial and maritime unmanned systems.

"Their missiles have significantly greater range and significantly enhanced accuracy," he said, adding Iran made "remarkable" advancements in its missile program.

McKenzie noted that Tehran has more than 3,000 ballistic missiles of various types, some of which can reach Tel Aviv.

"None of them can reach Europe yet, but over the last five to seven years … they have invested heavily in their ballistic missile program."

He expressed his support for the efforts of the US administration to bring Iran back into the nuclear agreement, indicating that the main objective is to ensure Iran does not acquire a nuclear weapon.

"A primary objective of our policy in the region is for Iran not to possess a nuclear weapon... I think the best and most effective way to get to that position is through a negotiated agreement, which I fully support."



Tehran Hints 360 Soldiers Killed in 12-Day War with Israel

People attend the funeral procession of Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists and others killed in Israeli strikes, in Tehran (Reuters) 
People attend the funeral procession of Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists and others killed in Israeli strikes, in Tehran (Reuters) 
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Tehran Hints 360 Soldiers Killed in 12-Day War with Israel

People attend the funeral procession of Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists and others killed in Israeli strikes, in Tehran (Reuters) 
People attend the funeral procession of Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists and others killed in Israeli strikes, in Tehran (Reuters) 

Iranian Health Minister Mohammad-Reza Zafarghandi on Wednesday said close to 700 civilians were killed in Israeli attacks on Iran during the 12-day war that started on June 13.

His statements came two days after Saeed Ohadi, head of Iran’s Foundation of Martyrs and Veterans Affairs said the attacks killed over 1060 Iranians, indirectly hinting that at least 360 soldiers have been confirmed dead.

During a visit to a Tehran medical center, Zafarghandi said nearly 5,000 civilians were wounded in the Israeli attacks.

Checking on a 5-year-old Kian Ghasemian - a burn victim whose family was killed in the attacks - Zafarghandi described the Israeli strikes as “a savage and unjustifiable assault on defenseless people.”

The Minister said 18 members of medical staff, including six physicians, were among those killed in the airstrikes.

Zafarghandi noted that seven hospitals were directly targeted by Israel, and a number of medical centers were evacuated due to emergency circumstances.

Also, “Israel also hit 11 ambulances,” he said, adding all those Israeli actions were in violation of international principles, laws and human rights.

The minister’s new figures came shortly after Iran’s government has issued a death toll for its war with Israel, saying at least 1,060 people were killed and warning that the figure could rise.

Ohadi gave the figure in an interview aired by Iranian state television late Monday.

Figures show that around 360 soldiers were killed in the attacks, including 40 high-ranking leaders from the Revolutionary Guard.

During the war, Iran downplayed the effects of Israel’s 12-day bombardment of the country, which decimated its air defenses, destroyed military sites and damaged its nuclear facilities. Since a ceasefire took hold, Iran slowly has been acknowledging the breadth of the destruction, though it still has not said how much military materiel it lost.

The Washington-based Human Rights Activists group, which has provided detailed casualty figures from multiple rounds of unrest in Iran, has said 1,190 people were killed, including 436 civilians and 435 security force members. The attacks wounded another 4,475 people, the group said.