Iran’s acting Defence Minister Majid Ebn al-Reza has said that Tehran has “surprises” in store for its enemies, adding that developments in the country’s defence industries will be revealed in due time.
“We should not talk about the surprises now, but Iranian knowledge, the Iranian youth, and the things being carried out in the defence industries will, God willing, bring good surprises,” Ebn al-Reza said on Friday, according to Tasnim News Agency.
“Everyone, and especially the enemies, should know that they will become aware of Iran’s surprises in due time,” he added.
The defence minister’s remarks came a day after he said Iran had “changed” the regional balance of power through its actions on the battlefield.
According to Tasnim, Ebn al-Reza said that Iran had demonstrated that the era of “hit-and-run military deployments from across oceans” was over.
“The ridiculous media show does not change the reality on the battlefield or the victorious side,” he said.
The acting defence minister also called on adversaries to “read Iran’s history spanning thousands of years” to understand that “they must speak to the Iranian nation with respect”.
The comments come as Washington says it is not engaged in talks with Tehran.
United States (US) Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly told Al Jazeera that there are no ongoing or scheduled discussions between the US and Iran. “There are no talks or conversations going on, or scheduled, with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Kelly said.
She also reiterated US claims that the Strait of Hormuz is open and fully de-mined.
Kelly said that Washington’s naval blockade against Iran “remains in full force and effect” and that its economic campaign against Iran, referred to as “Operation Economic Outcast”, is underway.
According to Kelly, the campaign aims to sever every remaining economic lifeline sustaining the regime”.
