Iran claims it has ‘rebuilt military’ during ceasefire and threatens US with ‘devastation’

Iran’s top negotiator Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf warned the US that if Trump restarts the war it will be “more crushing and bitter for America”, accusing Washington of breaking the ceasefire by imposing a naval blockade

Iran has issued a stark warning to the US and Donald Trump after declaring that Tehran has “rebuilt” its military capabilities throughout the ceasefire period.

Iranian chief negotiator and Parliament Speaker Mohammad-Bagher Ghalibaf declared “our armed forces have rebuilt themselves during the ceasefire”.

Speaking during discussions in Tehran with Field Marshal Asim Munir, Commander of the Pakistani Army, Ghalibaf stated: “We will not deviate from the rights of our nation and country, especially with a party that has no sincerity and cannot be trusted.”

He went on to say that the Islamic Republic of Iran defended the country with courage and authority on the battlefield and will pursue its legitimate rights with intelligence and strength on the diplomatic front.

“Military men know the value of peace better than others, but they will never allow their country’s dignity and rights to be trampled,” Ghalibaf declared.

He also delivered a stark warning to the US, stating that if Trump acts recklessly and restarts the conflict, “it will certainly be more crushing and bitter for America than the first day of the war.”

He accused the US of initiating the conflict while negotiations were taking place, and is now demanding talks to bring it to an end. “We were in a ceasefire that you brokered when the United States broke its word, imposed a naval blockade, and now it is looking to lift it,” he said.

Munir declared: “You and I are both soldiers of our nations, and soldiers speak without stuttering and with honesty.” He went on to say that Pakistan extends its finest wishes and prayers for the future of the Iranian people.

The military chief touched down in Tehran on Friday (May 22) and conducted discussions with Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi regarding the “latest efforts and diplomatic initiatives to prevent escalation” of the conflict between Iran, the US and Israel, reports the Express.

Despite the menacing rhetoric, Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding, believes the leaders are becoming more earnest due to exhaustion creeping in on both sides.

He told Al Jazeera: “A few weeks ago, there was a sense that the two leaderships were trying to message their own audiences: ‘We are going to win, it’s unconditional surrender,’. “While that’s still going on, it’s not quite at that tempo. I think perhaps the two sides are getting more serious.

“We’ve reached a breaking point,” he said.

Meanwhile, the April ceasefire has failed to result in the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and maritime traffic across the Gulf and Gulf of Oman continues to face danger.

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