The Iranian flag waves in front of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) headquarters, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Vienna, Austria May 23, 2021. REUTERS/Leonhard Foeger/File Photo
Coordinating Commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi stated that his forces “eagerly await” orders from Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to join the fight in Gaza.
However, Naqdi called for the pursuit of “non-military” methods to exert pressure on Israel, reported Iranian government media.
Meanwhile, a deputy in the Iranian parliament suggested that the “Axis of Resistance” may target maritime passages, Israeli ships, and its allies if the war expands.
Naqdi, speaking at a conference organized by the IRGC on Gaza, emphasized that “despite not deploying forces to Palestine, it does not imply sitting idly at home.”
“Even before receiving orders to go to Gaza, we will assist the fighters in other ways,” he asserted.
Naqdi advised parties engaged in the war with Israel to execute “fully complementary operations,” remarking that the “Zionists are receiving painful blows from the resistance and digging their own graves in every meter of Gaza’s soil.”
“Palestinian resistance has prepared itself for a long-term war, expecting ground warfare, and it still maintains its readiness,” added Naqdi.
He called for activating legal, judicial, medical, humanitarian, and diplomatic mechanisms to support Gazans.
He revealed that the IRGC had asked Türkiye and some regional countries to close American and Israeli military and intelligence bases.
Moreover, Naqdi praised the role of diplomacy during the Gaza war.
“Our diplomatic measures should continue until Israel is expelled from the Security Council,” he said.
The Iranian judiciary, meanwhile, called for stricter punishment against Israeli and US spies captured in Iran.