Iran’s top military commander on Sunday warned that the country’s armed forces would deliver a “decisive and devastating response” to any future aggression amid escalating tensions with the United States.

Major General Ali Abdollahi, commander of the Khatam Al Anbiya Headquarters, also reaffirmed ing loyalty to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei and called for national unity in the wake of US strikes on Iran.

Major General Ali Abdollahi’s statement followed a televised address by Ayatollah Khamenei, who accused Washington of repeatedly violating Iran’s sovereignty and cautioned that the United States would face “unforgettable lessons” if it continued its confrontational approach.

In a statement, Abdollahi said Iran’s Armed Forces remained committed to implementing the supreme leader’s directives and would use all available resources to strengthen coordination between the military, the government and the Iranian people.

He renewed the military’s pledge of allegiance to Ayatollah Khamenei, describing the preservation of national unity and cohesion as a key pillar of Iran’s defence strategy.

Addressing the United States, Abdollahi warned that any attempt to threaten or attack Iran would be met with a forceful military response.

He said any act of aggression or coercion by Washington would draw a “decisive and devastating response” from Iran’s armed forces, adding that the costs imposed on the US would exceed those suffered during “second and third American-Israeli wars against the Islamic Republic”.

The commander also accused Washington of trying to undermine Iran’s internal unity after failing to achieve its objectives on the battlefield, urging all sectors of society to remain united against what he called an external conspiracy.