Iran Threatens to Change the 'Geography of War'

Washington, D.C. – Agencies: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) threatened in a statement yesterday to strike “new targets” and “change the geography of the war and the nature of its weapons” if the United States attacks the Islamic Republic again. The IRGC affirmed in its statement, “We will introduce new weapons with new capabilities to the battlefield, and the world will be surprised.” It added, “Our targets will not necessarily be the same as before; we have new targets that we have not yet attacked.” The IRGC also affirmed its readiness for a “long-term war.”

U.S. President Donald Trump had previously stated that the options currently on the table regarding Iran, in his words, are to “erase Iran,” leave it to “rot economically,” or reach a deal.

Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Pompeo said the door remains open for Iran’s return to the negotiating table. This came during a speech Pompeo delivered at an event organized by the U.S. news website Al-Monitor in New York. Pompeo noted that the Iranian currency has collapsed and that the country is under significant economic pressure. He added, “The Iranian regime is in its weakest state since 1979, and it is gradually growing weaker.” He continued, “The door is open for Iran’s return to the negotiating table, and we hope that Tehran will return to negotiations through diplomatic and peaceful means,” pointing out that time is on the side of his country.

In this context, Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Majid Al-Ansari said that Doha has been exchanging ideas for about two weeks regarding the resumption of talks between Iran and the relevant parties. He noted that the Qatari mediation team is working with Tehran and Washington to explore the possibility of resuming talks. Al-Ansari added that Qatari mediators are currently shuttling between various capitals in hopes of making progress in this track, noting that Qatar has received assurances from U.S. administration officials that Washington wants to reach an agreement. He emphasized the need for a regional solution that ensures stability, as well as an international understanding that protects waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz. He warned that subjecting waterways to the sovereignty of a specific state and using them as a weapon constitutes a dangerous precedent for everyone.

In a separate development, the Iranian Foreign Ministry said that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will make a short stop in Doha before heading to New York to participate in the United Nations General Assembly meetings. It clarified that Araghchi will hold consultations in Doha regarding the latest developments and updates in the region.

On another front, Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited the Iranian capital yesterday and met with his Iranian counterpart Eskandar Momeni, according to the Iranian Broadcasting Corporation news agency. The nature of the messages carried by the Pakistani mediator to the Iranian side remains unknown.

For his part, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that his country would welcome any talks that lead to lasting security and peace, emphasizing the need for unity in this regard.