IRGC Denounces US’ New Sanctions against Iranian Defense Entities

The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has condemned the recently announced US sanctions on the Iranian armed forces, vowing to continue the fight against ‘Great Satan’ with more determination than ever.

In a statement on Friday, the IRGC condemned the recently announced US sanctions on the General Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces and its Chairman Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri as well as some other Iranian military officials beside Judiciary Chief Seyed Ebrahim Rayeesi, who was appointed by the Leader in March 2019.

The IRGC’ communique said that the US’ provocative action will make the Iranian armed forces and the IRGC put into operation their different and appropriate scenarios to confront the Great Satan with more determination than ever.

The statement points out that the US action not only showed the rightfulness of the path that the Iranian nation has chosen, but also revealed the desperation and anger of the enemy, particularly the unwise US rulers at the White House.

The IRGC also described the recent sanctions a ridiculous and failed show, adding that the enemy has reached the end of the line.

The United States has imposed sanctions on nine individuals and one entity, "who are appointees of, or have acted for or on behalf" of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei.

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced the new sanctions in a press release on Monday, which coincided with the 40th anniversary of takeover of the former US embassy in Tehran.

The department said that it took action against the General Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces and its Chairman Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri as well as Judiciary Chief Seyed Ebrahim Rayeesi, who was appointed by the Leader in March 2019.

It also slapped sanctions on former defense minister and a commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Hossein Dehqan and the commander of the IRGC's Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters Major General Qolam Ali Rashid.

The new sanctions also targeted officials at Ayatollah Khamenei's Office, including his chief of staff.

In response, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Mousavi denounced the US move to impose new sanctions against some Iranian authorities, adding that Americans’ resort to “empty sanctions” depicts Washington’s inability in diplomacy.

“The US regime’s addiction to unilateral sanctions has put its authorities in a passive situation that makes them resort to such empty sanctions in a bid to alleviate their pains and depression that has been caused by their inaction towards the iron-like will of the Iranian nation,” Mousavi said.

He was making the comment in reaction to the US imposition of new sanctions against several Iranian authorities.

Mousavi added that such attempts are a result of the “US regime’s” inability to use diplomatic means and shows its bullying of other countries in international relations.

He went on to say that the US regime distorts historical and factual realities.

The Iranian diplomat urged the US to stop using terrorism as a means to steal other countries’ wealth and take a wise and civilized path.

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