Iran mobilizes forces along borders

A senior Iranian commander says the presence of American and Israeli forces along the western borders of Iran has prompted the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps (IRGC) to mobilize its troops in the area.

Brigadier-General Mehdi Moini, who is the commander of IRGC in West Azarbaijan Province, told reporters on Tuesday that certain Western countries sought to overstate the issue of ethnic conflict in the region.

"Through magnifying the ethnic, religious strife in the region and inciting terrorist groups, they seek to destabilize our province," Brig. Gen. Moini said.

The official, however, explained that the strong presence of IRGC forces in the region has thwarted all enemy attempts to destabilize the western Iranian province.

"The presence of US and Israeli forces along Iranian borders is the reason behind Iran's military movements in the region," he said.

The IRGC commander went on to explain that while the enemy has suffered much damage in the course of such movements, no Iranian base has suffered damage.

West Azarbaijan Province is located in northwest Iran. It shares a 900-kilometer (560-mile) border with Iraq, Turkey, Azerbaijan and Armenia. PressTV