IRGC Commander Says 'We Are Not Afraid of War' Reflects Iranian Nation's Voice

The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Major General Ahmad Vahidi, said "we are not afraid of war," describing the statement as reflecting the unwavering voice of the Iranian nation, according to state news agency IRNA.

Vahidi's remarks were reported as having been heard around the world after being delivered from the United Nations podium, according to the IRNA report, though the specific occasion and full context of the remarks were not detailed in the available account.

The IRGC is a branch of Iran's armed forces distinct from the regular military, with a mandate that includes defending the country's political system. Its senior commanders periodically make public statements addressing Iran's military posture, particularly amid heightened regional tensions.

Vahidi's comments come against a backdrop of ongoing tension between Iran and both Israel and the United States, with Iranian officials frequently using public statements to project resolve amid perceived threats to the country.

IRNA, as Iran's official state news agency, presented Vahidi's remarks without independent commentary or reaction from other parties. The statement was not accompanied in the report by details of any specific new military development or threat.

The remarks add to a series of statements from senior Iranian officials in recent days addressing the country's security posture amid regional developments, including gatherings on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session in New York.