Trump’s Threats Toward Iran Face Hard Military Victory After Soleimani Assassination

A Sky News Arabia analysis says Donald Trump’s “global aggression” and threats toward Iran are difficult to translate into an “easy and rapid military victory,” even as Washington has mobilized “tens of thousands of troops in the region.”

“The commander-in-chief of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) praised young Iranian athletes for recent sporting victories, which he described as a source of national pride during the US-Israeli-imposed war”

PressTV

The same analysis links Trump’s red lines to his prior actions, including the assassination of senior IRGC commander Qassem Soleimani during his first term and the sending of stealth bombers in June to strike three nuclear sites.

PressTV

Sky News Arabia adds that Tehran and Washington are pursuing negotiations in Oman, but that “the diplomatic path that Tehran and Washington are pursuing through negotiations in Oman could fail,” according to analysts and experts.

It also says the military alternative “seems painful, but not guaranteed,” and that any move to topple the Iranian regime or destroy the IRGC could require “a long air campaign,” while Washington does not want a military action that could leave a power vacuum.

The analysis frames the stakes as political as well as military, arguing that a long, protracted war with uncertain outcomes would test Americans’ confidence in their president and could spell disaster for Trump and the Republican Party in the upcoming midterm elections.

In a statement carried by Al-Masry Al-Youm, Ismail Qaani, the commander of the Quds Force of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said the “backbone of the Resistance Front and fighters without borders” is the unity of the street and the cohesion of officials.

Qaani added that “we are all Iranians and revolutionaries,” and said that with “full adherence to the directives of the Supreme Leader of the Revolution Mojtaba Khamenei” they will make the “criminal aggressor regret.”

اعتمادآنلاین

The same statement asserts a slogan of unity, saying “there is one God, one leader, one people, and one path; and that is the path of Iran's victory.”

Separately, Mehr News Agency quoted an IRGC statement on the anniversary of the victory of the Islamic Revolution that said the successive defeats of Iran and Iranians’ enemies over the past 47 years—including the failure of the United States and the evil Zionist regime in two 12-day wars—showed “the desperation and confusion of the front of arrogance.”

Mehr News Agency also said the IRGC renews its oath with the Revolution, the Imam and the leadership, and invited the people of Iran to participate in the nationwide Yaum-e-Allah 22 Bahman march.

Asharq Al-Awsat reported that Canada confirmed “IRGC officials are barred from entering the country,” after an Iranian Football Federation delegation was turned back from Toronto airport.

“On Wednesday, the Canadian government confirmed that 'IRGC officials are barred from entering the country,' in response to a question about the Iranian Football Federation's delegation, which left Toronto airport immediately upon arrival, noting that the step came as a result of the treatment it received from Canadian immigration officers”

Al-Sharq al-Awsat

The report said the decision affected the president of the Iranian federation, Mehdi Taj, who was barred from entering Canada, prompting the rest of the delegation to withdraw completely and causing the Iranian delegation to miss meetings held in Vancouver.

Iran International said Tasnim reported that the Tractor-Persepolis match in the Iranian Cup will be held on the 27th of Azar at Beiyan-Dizel Stadium with only seven thousand spectators in attendance.

Iran International also cited the U.S. State Department’s statement that “We review visa applications on a case-by-case basis after careful scrutiny and full assessment, in accordance with U.S. law.”

The same Iran International report quoted Mehdi Taj warning that due to players’ and staff’s past military service in the IRGC, they may be denied American visas to attend the World Cup, adding: “We must prepare alternative options for the World Cup.”