Iranian general rejects Trump claim that Iran's military power was destroyed

Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia has rejected claims by US President Donald Trump that Iran's military power has been destroyed, describing the assertion as false and stating that Iranian forces remain present and in control of the region. "This is a false claim. We are present in the region and we control the region," he said in remarks reported by Mehr News.

Akraminia said the Iranian Navy is deployed in the Sea of Oman, the Arabian Sea and the northern Indian Ocean, where it controls the waters and prevents US vessels from approaching Iranian coasts. He argued that the distance of American vessels from Iran's coastline demonstrates Iran's strength. "If, as Trump claims, our Navy had been destroyed, the enemy would have approached our coasts, but now it does not dare to do so," he said.

Turning to US statements about rescuing its pilot deep inside Iran and an interview given by an American pilot, Akraminia said Western and American media had also reported that these pilots were asked to appear before cameras and make those statements. "Obviously their statements are far from reality. The Americans are trying to create and show off a legend of their invincibility, just as they show in Hollywood films. These interviews and claims are in the same vein," he said.

On the events at Dasht-e Mahyar, which he said caused US frustration and led to what he called lying, Akraminia said a major operation had been planned by America in that area but failed. He said US forces were then forced to bomb and destroy several of their own aircraft and helicopters, and he compared the episode to what he described as the scandal Carter suffered at Tabas. He said the United States is now trying to remove this defeat from minds and build a legend of victory.

Akraminia concluded with a message for the United States and Trump: "If they again make a miscalculation and commit a new aggression, they will be targeted more decisively, more broadly and more strongly than before, and will be forced to endure a heavy defeat." According to Mehr News, the remarks were made in reaction to Trump's claims about Iran's military capabilities.