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IRGC downplays risk of military conflict as Iran-US tensions flare

The commanders of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps claim to see no potential for war with the United States.

Military units of the IRGC Ground Force are seen on boats as they launched war games in the Gulf, December 22, 2018. Hamed Malekpour/Tasnim News Agency via REUTERS   ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC1B345C1BC0
Ground forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are seen on boats as they launch war games in the Gulf, Dec. 22, 2018. — Hamed Malekpour/Tasnim News Agency via REUTERS

The deputy commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps downplayed the risk of military conflict with the United States. Speaking at a June 27 IRGC ceremony introducing new commanders, Ali Fadavi said, “Despite the passing of 30 years since the end of the war [with Iraq] … no one has dared fire at us during this time.” He added, “The military strength of the Islamic Republic of Iran has resulted in America and its allies not daring to fire one bullet at us.” 

Rather than a direct military conflict, however, Fadavi stressed that economic threats to Iran continue. “We still use a system that the Americans placed more than 40 years ago,” Fadavi said, stressing that Iran's economy is a vulnerable area in which the United States can gain influence. 

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