Senior Iranian Official Mohsen Rezaee: Fighters Permitted to Target U.S. Soldiers; Trump Has Crossed the Red Line

Former IRGC Commander-in-Chief Mohsen Rezaee, the Secretary of the Expediency Council, said in a January 3, 2020 interview on Channel 2 (Iran) that U.S. President Donald Trump has "crossed the red line" by killing IRGC Qods Force Commander Gen. Qasem Soleimani. He said that the Islamic revolutionaries in the region had previously focused on targeting Israel and Saudi Arabia while leaving the United States alone, but that they can now shoot American soldiers wherever they may see them.

Rezaee also said that Iran has increased its monitoring of American bases, warships, and installations in the region and that resistance fighters in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and elsewhere are "preparing for action." He said that since President Trump is not a man of war, Iran is making its own calculations that do not involve starting a war, and he promised that Iran's revenge will be very severe. He added that Iran will do something that will prevent all countries – not just America – from perpetrating crimes such as killing Soleimani.

Mohsen Rezaee: "Mr. Trump has crossed the red line. When he crossed the red line, the American soldiers... So far, the revolutionaries emphasized that Israel and Saudi Arabia must be hit, but that the Americans should be avoided. Mr. Trump has now placed U.S. soldiers in front of the sword of the region's fighters. He did something that is very dangerous to the American military. Now, all the fighters have permission to shoot at American soldiers wherever they may see them. Mr. Trump has placed all the armed forces of America in a conflict. This is something he has not done before.

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"As of last night, we are monitoring all the American air force bases, warships, and centers in the region. We are collecting more accurate intelligence. The fighters of the resistance front in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and in other places I do not want to mention, are all preparing for action. Obviously, we do not plan to start a war. Mr. Obama is not a man of war..."

Interviewer: "Mr. Trump..."

Mohsen Rezaee: "Mr. Trump, sorry... Mr. Trump is not a man of war. So we are making our own calculations. All our friends are committed to this and are involved in thinking and planning. But we absolutely promise our public that our revenge will be very severe. It will be unforgettable and historic for the American statesmen. We will do something that will stop not just America, but any country or government, from perpetrating such crimes."