ABNA24 - A senior clerical figure within Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has dismissed recent threatening rhetoric by US President Donald Trump as a manifestation of pressure, intimidation, and power display, asserting that the Iranian nation—rooted in millennia-old civilization—only grows stronger and more united in the face of such hostility.
Hojatoleslam Abdulrahim Najafqoli-Zadeh Sarayi, the representative of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution in the Ashura Corps of East Azerbaijan Province, made the remarks in an interview with Hawzah News Agency from Tabriz.
He stated that Trump’s bellicose language—including threats to "turn a country into the Stone Age"—far from reducing tensions, only fuels global mistrust and escalates the climate of hostility.
Psychological warfare tactic doomed to fail
"The use of such expressions is not only criticizable under international law, but also reflects a disregard for humanitarian principles and accepted norms in relations between nations," the cleric said.
He emphasized that Iran, as one of the most ancient human civilizations, boasts thousands of years of legacy in culture, science, and knowledge—centuries before the United States even came into existence.
"Ignoring this historical and cultural depth—which has played a foundational role in medicine, philosophy, mathematics, and art—is a crude oversimplification of the complex realities of today's world," he added.
Threats only strengthen cultural roots
Najafqoli-Zadeh Sarayi interpreted such threatening statements as part of psychological warfare tactics aimed at spreading fear among public opinion. However, he noted that historical experience has repeatedly proven that nations with deep cultural and religious roots are not weakened by threats—rather, they achieve greater cohesion and solidarity.
"Culture, identity, and collective beliefs are not phenomena that can be eliminated through threats or pressure," he stressed.
He further warned that threat-based and confrontational approaches do not contribute to global stability or peace; instead, they lay the groundwork for increased tensions and instability in international relations.
International law and the illegitimacy of unilateral threats
The representative of Iran’s Leader in Ashura Corps also highlighted the legal dimensions of such rhetoric.
"From the perspective of international law, threatening the use of military force or actions that target the cultural life of a nation is contrary to the principles of the United Nations Charter and customary international rules," he said.
He added that unilateral threats not only lack international legitimacy, but also undermine the credibility of global institutions. In today's multipolar world, he asserted, such threats face negative reactions from the international community.
Millennial resilience: from Avicenna to modern science
Najafqoli-Zadeh Sarayi pointed to the historical resilience of the Iranian nation, noting that Iranian civilization has weathered countless ups and downs and has resisted various invasions.
"This cultural resistance—featuring luminaries such as Avicenna, Khayyam, Ferdowsi, and Sa’di, who made unparalleled contributions to the advancement of global knowledge—cannot be erased by fleeting political threats," he declared.
He emphasized that in the contemporary era, the Iranian nation—relying on this same historical identity—has achieved remarkable breakthroughs in scientific and technological fields. Iranian society, through its unity and cohesion, has repeatedly proven its resilience against external pressures and its determination to defend its values.
"This cohesion is undoubtedly one of the most important factors for the continuity and dynamism of Iranian civilization," the cleric concluded.
/129
Your Comment