'We decide when war ends': Iran's sharp response to Trump
What's the story
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran has hit back at United States President Donald Trump's recent remarks about ending the war in Iran. The IRGC said that Tehran would determine "the end of the war," dismissing Trump's warnings as "nonsense." An IRGC spokesperson warned that if US and Israeli attacks continue, Iran wouldn't allow the export of "one liter of oil" from the region.
IRGC
Trump called the war on Iran 'short-term excursion'
"The equations and future status of the region are now in the hands of our armed forces; American forces will not end the war," the IRGC said. Trump has called the war on Iran a "short-term excursion" that will "very soon" stop. However, he also stated that he had not yet declared the US mission complete. He later said the operation would only end once Tehran no longer has any capacity of weaponry against the US, Israel or any allies.
Escalating tensions
Trump threatens Iran with 'death, fire, fury'
Earlier, Trump had also warned that the US would respond "20 times harder" if Iran tried to block oil flow through the Strait. He wrote on social media that such strikes could make it "virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a nation, again." He added: "Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them — But I hope, and pray, that it does not happen!"
Military progress
US military operation in Iran 'ahead of timeline'
Trump also said on Monday that the US military operation in Iran is "ahead of our initial timeline by a lot." He claimed American forces have started targeting Iran's drone-manufacturing facilities, reducing drone launches from Iran by 83%. The latest round of US-Israeli strikes targeted Iranian fuel infrastructure, with five oil depots in Tehran and neighboring Alborz province being hit late Saturday.
Conflict readiness
Iranian officials say ready for long war
Iranian officials say they are ready for a long war. An IRGC spokesperson said Tehran has stockpiled ballistic and cruise missiles, drones, and attack vessels to sustain high-intensity combat for at least six months. The Iranian Red Crescent Society reports that US and Israeli strikes have killed 1,332 people in Iran and damaged 9,669 civilian facilities since the conflict began last weekend.