Iran’s military leadership has declared its ongoing objective to expel US forces from the Middle East, signaling that this goal remains unchanged even if a ceasefire is established. Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces General Staff, emphasized that Tehran will persist in applying pressure on American troops until their complete withdrawal from the region.
Shekarchi outlined a strategy aimed at making the environment intolerable for US military personnel by continuously targeting their positions. He noted that US forces have been compelled to take refuge in hotels and ports to avoid attacks. Furthermore, he issued a stern warning that any US ground offensive would be met with fierce resistance, describing it as a potential “killing ground” designed to inflict severe casualties and deter future enlistment in the US military.
Regarding the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, Shekarchi asserted that the waterway remains closed to both US and Israeli vessels, with no exceptions permitted under any circumstances.
In a related development, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) categorically denied allegations of involvement in the recent attack on the US embassy in Riyadh. The IRGC condemned the incident and refuted claims, including those from international media, that Iranian drones were responsible for the strikes on the Saudi capital’s embassy compound.
Regional tensions have intensified following a series of military confrontations between Iran and Israel, with the latter receiving US support. Iran has launched missile attacks targeting Israeli territory and US military bases in Gulf countries. Concurrently, Iranian officials reported assaults on critical petrochemical facilities in the south, such as the Mahshahr petrochemical complex and Bandar Imam Petrochemical Company, attributing these attacks to US and Israeli forces. Local authorities confirmed that five individuals sustained injuries.
These petrochemical plants are integral to Iran’s energy infrastructure, playing a crucial role in production and export activities through the Persian Gulf. The Petrochemical Special Economic Zone Organisation announced that workers were evacuated from industrial zones and assured that there was no risk of contamination to nearby urban areas.
Meanwhile, Israel’s military stated it had completed a series of strikes targeting what it described as “terrorist regime infrastructure” in Tehran.
In Washington, experts have cautioned that US President Donald Trump’s reported plan to seize Iran’s enriched uranium could provoke serious consequences. Such an action might violate international law, escalate the conflict, and risk triggering a broader regional war. Analysts warn it could also increase radiation hazards, involve global powers like Russia and China, disrupt energy markets, and drive up oil prices.
Additionally, a former US official revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly urged successive US presidents to conduct strikes against Iran. However, previous administrations have resisted these calls due to concerns over the potential for widespread war and economic repercussions.
The US Department of Defense reported that 365 personnel have been wounded in the ongoing conflict, including 247 from the Army, 63 from the Navy, 36 from the Air Force, and 19 Marines. Thirteen US service members have lost their lives so far.
