Zionists, Saudis Tempting U.S. Into War With Iran: Commander

TEHRAN (Kayhan Intl.) - Deputy commander of the Quds Force of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Mohammad Hejazi said on Tuesday that the Zionist regime and Saudi Arabia are trying to drag the United States into war with Iran in order to complicate matters for the next administration in Washington.
The official said his warning about the incitement to war was based on mere "analysis,” but it had been verified through actual intelligence that the Islamic Republic had received.
"The Zionist regime and countries such as Saudi Arabia are trying to bring about a crisis and tension during Trump’s final days, and achieve their goals thereby,” Hejazi said.
He said although outgoing U.S. President Donald Trump was entangled in attempts to disprove his electoral loss and that American institutions, such as the military, could defy him on a potential decision for military action, Tel Aviv and Riyadh would still try "to drag him into a vortex.”
"They want to exact revenge on Iran and put the next U.S. president on a downward path, from which he would not be able to return,” the commander said.
He said the dual regimes had launched the campaign because the policies that have been announced by Trump’s successor, Joe Biden, do not sit well with them.
 Meanwhile, the Iranian administration’s spokesman Ali Rabiei has slammed the new psychological war waged by the outgoing U.S. administration against Tehran, warning that the country will strongly defend its interests in case of any miscalculations by the United States in the region.
Rabiei said Tehran has evidence that some in the U.S. are seeking to trigger a new conflict in West Asia.
"It is very unlikely that the U.S. administration will miscalculate Iran’s resolute intentions as well as its deterrence and retaliation capability. We have made it clear to them that we will not start any war directly or indirectly, but if a blatant mistake is made by the United States, we will defend our security and vital interests with full force,” Rabiei added.
The remarks come amid heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. in the final days of President Donald Trump’s administration.
On Sunday, acting U.S. Secretary of Defense Christopher Miller instructed the USS Nimitz to remain in the Persian Gulf due to what he described as Iranian threats "against President Trump and other U.S. government officials,” reversing an earlier decision to move the aircraft carrier out of the Middle East.
Last week, two nuclear-capable American B-52 bombers flew over the Persian Gulf after nonstop flights to the region from their U.S.-based hangars. The nuclear-powered submarine USS Georgia also arrived in the Persian Gulf accompanied by two American warships.
Rabiei said, "Regardless of the rumors about the war, we are closely monitoring all U.S. military actions and movements in the region, and therefore we do not consider these rumors to be a cause for any concern. I emphasize that every adventurism will be answered decisively.”
He also stressed that Iran has confidence in its deterrent power and cautioned warmongers against the consequences of any acts of adventurism.