WANA (Mar 03) – Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi, the top military aide and senior advisor to the Commander-in-Chief, addressed the nation in a televised interview, providing a strategic assessment of the ongoing conflict and dismissing the effectiveness of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes.

 

Trump is a “Puppet” of Netanyahu

Major General Safavi characterised the current U.S. military involvement as a strategic error driven by Israeli influence. “My political analysis is that Trump has become a puppet in Netanyahu’s hands; he is sacrificing America for the Zionist regime,” Safavi stated. He noted that even within the U.S., many politicians are questioning why American taxpayer money and soldiers’ lives are being sacrificed for Netanyahu’s interests.

 

He added that Netanyahu provided “false information and incorrect estimates” during his meetings, wrongly assuming that the Islamic Republic had been weakened following the “12-Day War.” On the contrary, Safavi asserted, “We have become tens of times stronger.”

 

Absolute Evil: Preempting Deception

Addressing the Iranian public, the General labeled the American and Israeli leadership as “absolute evil” for global security and Muslims.

 

“We anticipated that after the 12-Day War, they would re-enter the fray with trickery and deception,” Safavi said. He explained that while Iran’s policy was to demonstrate its commitment to peace and discourse to the world, it simultaneously ramped up its offensive capabilities. “Along with diplomacy, we increased our defensive power—specifically our missile and drone offensive power—tenfold.”

 

Intelligence Sovereignty: “We Know Where Netanyahu Meets”

Safavi emphasized the depth of Iran’s intelligence reach, claiming that the Ministry of Intelligence and other security organizations have “complete oversight” of enemy targets.

 

“We have full intelligence on the objectives of the enemy surrounding Iran, as well as American and Israeli targets. We even know the locations of Netanyahu’s meetings; our intelligence database is complete.”

 

Regarding the recent strikes on Iranian soil, Safavi revealed that the military had successfully anticipated the attacks. “The missile centers had been evacuated before the strikes… they are destroying buildings and centers that are empty of personnel, IRGC forces, and Basijis. There is no one in these buildings.”

 

The Goal: Returning Iran to the “Shah Era”

The Major General argued that the U.S. and Israel are operating under a “failed strategic estimate” with the goal of toppling the Islamic Republic, partitioning the country, and forcing a total surrender.

 

“They want to return Iran to the era of the Shah and dominate the region’s oil and economy,” he said. However, Safavi expressed total confidence in the resilience of the nation, stating that over the last 47 years, the Iranian people and armed forces have only grown more cohesive. “Our political system is structured and possesses the capability for regeneration, flexibility, and reconstruction.”

 

Succession After the Assassination of the Leader

In the final part of his interview, Safavi addressed the governance of the country following the Assassination of the Supreme Leader.

 

“Following the martyrdom of the Leader of the Revolution, a Temporary Leadership Council has been formed,” Safavi confirmed. He assured the public that the Assembly of Experts would soon determine the successor to the Supreme Leader “by the grace of God,” ensuring the continuity and stability of the political structure.

A view shows the aftermath of an Israeli and the U.S. strike on a police station, amid the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran, in Tehran, Iran, March 2, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)