A senior Iranian Revolutionary Guard naval commander is threatening an unprecedented response to any U.S. attempt to seize Iranian-controlled islands in the Persian Gulf, warning that American forces would find themselves trapped in a deadly ground war.

In an interview with the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar, the IRGC field commander claimed that Iranian forces have been preparing for the possibility of a ground assault on the islands since 1995, with defensive and offensive plans updated annually.

The commander warned that Iran would consider virtually nothing off-limits if American forces attempted to establish a presence on the islands.

“The American military cannot establish a presence on the Iranian islands, even if it dares to launch a ground attack against them,” he said. “Maybe it can launch an attack with Marines and then immediately withdraw, but remaining on the islands is impossible. Suppose they occupy the islands and manage to establish their occupation — the islands will become their graves.”

He further threatened that Iran’s retaliation would extend far beyond the islands themselves.

“The response to any attempt to occupy the islands will exceed all expectations,” the commander said. “In addition to our focus on retaking the islands, there will be an unprecedented response that will break all previous red lines. Expect a historic response if such an attack begins.”

The commander also addressed the possibility of another round of fighting between Iran and the United States, saying Tehran believes renewed hostilities could come soon.

“I expect the war between us and them to return in the near future because the United States does not honor promises and agreements,” he said.

According to the commander, the decision over whether to open or close the Strait of Hormuz remains exclusively in the hands of Iran’s leadership. He claimed that during the previous conflict, Iranian forces were capable of rapidly shutting the strategic waterway after receiving orders, issuing warnings over international maritime channels and firing missiles toward vessels attempting to pass.

He also claimed that Iran avoided major direct naval confrontations with the U.S. fleet because large American warships and aircraft carriers did not approach the Strait of Hormuz.

The Iranian commander said several Persian Gulf countries contacted Tehran during the early days of the war seeking permission for vessels to pass through the area. He claimed the United Arab Emirates was the first to make such contact and later sent a delegation seeking permission to continue importing Iranian vegetables, which Tehran ultimately allowed.

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