Iranian security official Rezaei says US should prepare for another historic defeat

In a message released late on Friday, Iran’s top security official, Mohsen Rezaei, addressed the United States, stating that it must be prepared for another historic defeat by Iran. Rezaei, a senior figure in Iran’s security apparatus, invoked historical parallels to emphasize his point.

Rezaei wrote, “When they go to Athens after suffering defeat and humiliation at the hands of Iran to construct a narrative of a civilizational war, they would do well to read another important chapter of history: the one in which the Roman emperor knelt before Shapur I of the Sasanian Empire.” He underlined that anyone who invokes history must also be prepared for it to repeat itself.

The statement appears to reference past conflicts between Iran and Western powers, specifically the Sasanian Empire’s victories over the Roman Empire. Shapur I, who ruled the Sasanian Empire from 240 to 270 CE, is historically noted for his campaigns against Rome, including the capture of the Roman emperor Valerian. Rezaei’s message suggests that the US should consider this historical precedent when engaging with Iran.

Rezaei’s remarks come amid ongoing tensions between Iran and the United States, though the specific context of his message was not detailed in the report. The reference to Athens may allude to diplomatic or strategic meetings involving US officials in Greece, but this was not clarified.

The message was released late on Friday and was reported by Mehr News Agency (MNA). Rezaei’s statement reflects a rhetorical stance often employed by Iranian officials, drawing on historical narratives to assert Iran’s resilience against foreign adversaries. The report by Mehr News added that Rezaei emphasized the importance of historical awareness in current geopolitical discourse.