Iran is suspected of ‘drawing its sword to teach America a lesson’

Iranian security officials, including top commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), met in May at a heavily guarded base in the capital Tehran.

IRCG Commander Hossein Salami affirmed that `it is time to draw the sword and teach America a lesson`, Reuters on November 25 quoted sources familiar with the matter as saying.

Saudi Arabian oil plant when attacked by missiles

Aramco’s factory was attacked on the morning of September 14.

The information, provided by three officials familiar with the situation and one person familiar with Iran’s decision-making process, describes for the first time Tehran’s role in the raid on two Aramco refineries.

Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for the attack, but US and Saudi officials rejected this possibility, saying the sophistication of the attack showed Iran’s role and involvement.

According to these sources, the meetings took place inside the military base south of Tehran.

Hard-line commanders have proposed plans to attack high-value targets in the Middle East, including a seaport in Saudi Arabia, an airport and a US military base.

The proposed alternative plan was to conduct raids with cruise missiles and drones on Saudi Arabia’s oil plants.

Positions attacked at the Abqaiq factory on September 14.

Attacking Aramco’s oil refinery could also attract the attention of world public opinion, cause heavy economic damage to opponents, and convey a strong message to Washington.

Saudi Arabia became a target because it is Iran’s main rival in the region, as well as a powerhouse in the oil industry, playing an important role in the world economy.

After receiving approval for the plan to attack the Saudi Arabian oil refinery, Iranian military commanders worked on preparations for several months.

Smoke and fire rose from the Aramco factory after the attack on September 14.

The attack is an escalating action in the context of US President Donald Trump pursuing his long-term goal of withdrawing US troops from the Middle East.

`Do not attack a sovereign country, do not threaten US interests and the US military, otherwise we will respond,` US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper warned Iran in a mid-October press conference.

Experts assess that Iran has calculated correctly when it believes that the US will not risk launching a military conflict just to protect Saudi Arabia’s oil industry.