War will continue until guarantees given: IRGC senior adviser Ibrahim Jabari tells TNA

Ibrahim Jabari, senior adviser to the commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, told The New Arab that the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic signals the failure of the war launched by the United States and Israel.

Brigadier General Ibrahim Jabari is a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard commander who has held several top leadership positions, including the Supreme Leader's protective guard for 13 years, the longest tenure in that role, and currently serves as senior adviser to the guard's general commander.

Born in 1957 in Zanjan, western Iran, Jabari began as commander of the Revolutionary Guard in his province before leading units in Alborz and Tehran provinces. He also commanded the Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Guard in Qom and served as deputy commander of the Basij organisation in Iran.

In the interview with TNA, Jabari stressed that Iranian attacks across the region target US bases, reiterating Tehran's message that it harbours no hostility toward its neighbours.

At the same time, he said the war will not stop until US forces leave the region and guarantees are given that no new war will be launched against Iran.

An edited version of the full interview with Jabari follows:

Last night, Iran's Assembly of Experts appointed Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader, as general commander. What does this selection signify, and could Tehran's policies change under his leadership?

This choice demonstrates that our revolution has grown younger while continuing along the same principles and approach, but with renewed energy.

The United States attempted to overthrow the Islamic Republic through the assassination of the revolution's leader. Yet the revolution that gave birth to the Islamic Republic has revitalised itself, injecting new energy and leadership.

This proves that the war imposed by the United States and the Zionist entity has failed completely. While US President Donald Trump sought to undermine the Islamic Republic days into the conflict, trying to create division among our armed forces and diplomats, all institutions and bodies rallied behind the new leadership. This represents another humiliating defeat for America.

Today, everyone stands behind the new leadership.

Iran's neighbours in the Gulf condemned the war from its outset but have also faced Iranian attacks, which they say target infrastructure as well as U.S. interests. Why do these attacks continue?

We emphasise that we are neighbours and should live peacefully without aggression from any state.

Unfortunately, parts of some neighbours' territories have been allocated to US military bases, equipped with advanced systems and radars to pursue aggressive objectives and harm our country.

From these bases, the US has attacked us, including bombing a school in Minab that killed about 168 students. They also targeted Bushehr province, the desalination plant on Qeshm Island, and other areas. These are unjust and unacceptable acts. 

This situation has persisted for 48 years since the Islamic Revolution, and we protest it.

Do you not want to halt these attacks to maintain improved relations with these countries?

Our strikes will continue against US bases unless attacks from those bases on Iran stop.

We stress to our neighbours that we face a treacherous enemy threatening the region. We consider Islamic peoples and states our brothers and seek peaceful relations based on cooperation.

These attacks are not directed at any neighbouring state, and we do not intend to violate their sovereignty or territory. We target only bases that threaten us. That is our right.

Iran has declared readiness for a long war and refuses negotiations. How long can this military readiness last?

We have been fighting the enemy for several days. Their strikes hit us, but ours were more powerful and deadly. Our intelligence has monitored the enemy for years, preparing for an attack, even if the timing was unknown. We are prepared for a long war, possibly lasting up to ten years. Our armed forces operate according to preplanned scenarios and will continue until the US is expelled from the region and forced to retreat.

The United States and Israel claim Iranian missile attacks have decreased and that Iran's stockpile is depleting. Your response?

Our military stockpiles are full of missiles from first to fourth generation. After eight days of conflict, we began revealing previously unused weapons. Many advanced, highly destructive missiles remain, which we will use gradually. Our missile infrastructure is fully operational. We have inflicted significant damage on US and Israeli forces and assets while continuing to produce missiles and drones.

In contrast, enemy air defence stocks are declining and facing difficulties. We have targeted systems like THAAD and Patriot, destroying at least five. They have imported defences from South Korea to compensate, revealing their confusion. Information indicates they were forced to withdraw about 30,000 troops from the region to the United States, in addition to a large number of casualties whose actual figures have not been disclosed, as the American public would not tolerate high human losses.

How long will the war continue, and what is the end goal?

We did not seek war; they forced it upon us through years of blockade and previous conflicts.

Now, we will continue until the danger posed by US and Israeli aggression and terrorism is removed. We cannot accept a war breaking out against our country every six months.

We want to live with our neighbours in peaceful and fraternal coexistence, with exchange and cooperation in oil, the economy, livelihoods, and daily life.

We say clearly that the United States must leave the region completely and permanently. This is the demand of our people. We will continue the war until full calm returns to the region and decisive guarantees are provided that no war will be launched again against Iran or the region.

Americans must understand that the Iranian people will no longer accept a temporary ceasefire followed by another war six months later.

The matter must be settled at this stage.

Analysts suggest different objectives behind the aggression against Iran, from overthrowing the republic to changing its behaviour. What is the US goal?

The United States aims to dominate the world, seizing oil, wealth, and resources to offset debts and crises.

Their aggression seeks to overthrow the Islamic Republic and divide Iran into smaller states because Israel is small and cannot confront a large state such as Iran. It also aims to weaken Iran's strategic capacity and isolate the country to enforce a regional system that serves its interests.

Iran stands as an obstacle to this project.

US and Israeli efforts encourage Iranians to protest to overthrow the regime, yet this has not happened. Why?

Their project to overthrow the Islamic Republic has failed. Citizens, even in small villages, have taken to public squares in support of national security, the armed forces, and the regime.

In Tehran itself, we witnessed gatherings of millions across dozens of different locations, perhaps at more than 100 points. Our people demand that this war continue until the sedition is removed and the Americans leave the region, and they will continue to support this course. We hope the people will remain active in the public sphere for several months if necessary.

I want to say that Trump's threats to change Iran's geographical map are illusions. He will not be able to achieve such goals and will meet the same fate as previous US presidents before him.

Some claim attacks on police and Basij centres aim to provoke rebellion. Are you concerned?

Our strength lies not in walls or buildings but in the commitment of honourable people, police, Basij, and armed forces. Any rebellion will be swiftly suppressed. Past lapses will not recur; action will be decisive.

Conflicting reports emerge about the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Has it been closed?

The Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed until further notice. Passage occurs only with our permission. Allied ships, such as those from Russia, China, and select partner nations, may transit. Enemy-associated vessels are not allowed to pass, and not a single drop of oil or cubic metre of gas will be permitted through this corridor. 

Oil prices currently approach $100 per barrel and may reach $200 or more. The US and Europe are fully aware.

The US threatened to take control of the strait and escort oil tankers. Could this happen?

I say it clearly that Trump's threats will not succeed. The aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln approached, fired upon, and withdrew 1,000 km south of the Indian Ocean. It was later provoked to return, and when it came within about 350 kilometres, it was forced to retreat 1,000 km.

We await US warships in the strait to target them with our advanced missiles. We have capabilities not yet disclosed.

So far, we have struck at least 10 oil tankers. I tell the Americans: we are waiting for your warships to send them to the bottom of the sea.

Article translated from Arabic by Afrah Almatwari. To read the original, click here.