Iran’s chessboard in the Persian Gulf; Baqeri: “The Bahrain card is on the table!”

Mohammad Hossein Bagheri; head of the Iqbal Forum and strategic affairs expert, in an interview with Pakistan’s well-known presenter Mubashir Luqman, revealed new details about Iran’s possible responses and warned that any American adventure in Khark Island would face an unimaginable reaction. Referring to the historical patience of Iranians, he emphasized that if even a single American soldier sets foot on Khark Island, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps would take control of Bahrain.

Military and Field Analysis

Change in attack tactics:
He noted that aerial attacks over Tehran have decreased and have mostly shifted to cruise missile strikes. He attributed this to the insecurity of Iraqi airspace for enemy refueling aircraft, which has limited the ability to send fighter jets deep into Iranian territory.

Use of new missiles:
Bagheri stressed that Iran has used the “Sejjil” missile for the first time. He described its features as solid fuel, extremely high speed (Mach 13), and targeting accuracy of under 50 meters.

Status of the Strait of Hormuz:
The head of the Iqbal Think Tank referred to Donald Trump’s change of position, saying that Trump—who previously claimed he could open the Strait alone—is now asking Britain and other countries for assistance to control the region.

Strategic and Defensive Doctrine

Proportional response (retaliation):
Bagheri believes Iran has not yet revealed all of its cards, and its actions so far have been purely retaliatory in order to avoid surprising the enemy.

Red line of Khark Island:
He warned that if the United States attacks the oil facilities of Khark Island, Iran will target all oil facilities in the region. He also stated that if US ground forces enter Iranian islands, Iran’s armed forces will adopt severe retaliatory strategies, including operations in Bahrain.

Strategic patience:
Referring to the ancient Iranian tradition of carpet weaving, which requires great patience and endurance, he argued that Iran’s strategic patience can reshape the map of the region.

Iran’s Conditions for Ceasefire

Withdrawal of foreign forces:
According to him, the main condition for stopping the war is the removal of all US military bases from the Persian Gulf countries.

Payment of compensation:
Another condition is compensation for war damages; otherwise, Iran reserves the right to inflict equivalent damage on the other side’s assets.

In conclusion, Bagheri emphasized that from Iran’s perspective, confrontation with Israel and the United States has become part of its destiny, and Iran is fully prepared for this confrontation with comprehensive planning.