Following are excerpts
from an interview with Brig.-Gen Masoud
Jazayeri, the Iranian deputy chief of staff in charge of media, which
aired on Al-Alam TV on November 9, 2011.
Brig.-Gen.
Masoud Jazayeri: The Americans are leaving Iraqi soil, dragging
shame and humiliation behind them. We should call it fleeing, rather
than withdrawing, from the noble Iraqi soil. We do not have the slightest
doubt that the defeat of the American forces will soon repeat itself
in Afghanistan. We shall see the day when the US soldiers flee Afghanistan.
[...]
The main goal of the
US and its allies in Europe and in the region – with global Zionism
behind them – is to divert the world's public opinion away from
the bitter truths that have begun to threaten the existence of international
capitalism.
[...]
We believe that the American
economic and financial problems are serious problems, which pose a great
challenge to American capitalism.
In addition, the events
in US society that the world is witnessing today constitute a bona
fide protest movement and a popular awakening. This is an Intifada
against the oppressive, unjust measures of the US administration. The
American people are striving to achieve their legitimate liberties,
which have been appropriated and violated by the US administration,
not to mention all the other moral problems prevalent in US society.
[...]
The US is incapable of
taking any military measure against a great country like Iran. Iran
is capable of containing and retaliating against any aggression or war.
Naturally, we do not exclude any possible measure on the part of the
Great Satan. We have no doubt – and we are ready to back this
up with actions, not slogans – that although the US, or any other
country, might be able to start a war, they definitely will not be able
to end that war.
[...]
From this pulpit, I call
upon the leaders of the [Occupy] Wall Street movement to denounce the
statements by US officials, who called to assassinate citizens of other
countries. In the future, we hope to see opposition to such statements
in the demonstrations of the American people in Wall Street.
[...]
Tel Aviv knows full well
that the slightest measure against Iran would have implications regarding
the very existence of that false entity. It is not us saying so, but
everybody believes that a military measure such as this by the Zionist
entity against Iran would lead to the total annihilation of that entity.
[...]
We believe that the Zionist
entity is incapable of making good on its threats.
[...]
Interviewer: In
the event that a war breaks out, will Iran use the [Hormuz] Strait to
strike a blow against the US?
Brig.-Gen.
Masoud Jazayeri: Iran has a wide variety of trump cards up its sleeve.
These trump cards are not limited to this region. These days, the strategic
depth of Iran and of its Islamic revolution extends to many parts of
the world. This strategic depth can be observed within the various regimes,
as well as in the UN and around the world. Therefore, Iran holds many
cards and a variety of methods, which it will use at the appropriate
time.
[...]
We hope that [an attack
on Iran's nuclear installations] does not take place, but if it does,
this could also happen elsewhere.
Interviewer: What
do you mean?
Brig.-Gen.
Masoud Jazayeri: If they decide that smoke should billow from our
nuclear installations, such smoke could also billow from other installations.
[...]
Interviewer: With
regard to the Dimona plant of the Israeli entity – is the Iranian
array of missiles militarily capable of destroying it, if something
happens to the Iranian nuclear installations?
Brig.-Gen.
Masoud Jazayeri: That nuclear plant is the easiest target for the
Iranian military capabilities.
[...]
