Hossein Salami, the commander-in-chief of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, has warned the new U.S. administration against making strategic mistakes, threatening a long-term military conflict. His statement comes as Iran faces significant losses due to strikes targeting its regional proxies, including Hezbollah and ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

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According to the Iranian news agency ISNA, Salami stated: “Beware, do not make strategic mistakes or miscalculations.” These warnings come as Donald Trump‘s inauguration nears, a leader known for his tough stance on Iran, which is bracing for his forthcoming decisions.

Salami added that although the “enemy” may think Iran is weakened, it possesses advanced military capabilities ready for “major and prolonged battles against the enemy and its regional allies.”

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Recent developments highlight Iran’s weakened position, especially after changes in Lebanon, the shift of power in Syria, and significant political and economic challenges. Iranians fear that the situation may worsen after Trump takes office, with some believing that an Israeli military attack on Iran is becoming more likely.

Domestically, an energy crisis and severe air pollution have forced the government to shut down schools, universities, banks, and public institutions in recent weeks. To avoid alarming its population, Iran emphasizes its military logistics development to maintain its image as a regional power.

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Tehran is also seeking to fund its military needs and support allied factions. According to The Wall Street Journal, Iran has shipped about three million barrels of oil from a storage site in China to raise funds for its Middle Eastern allies.

The report indicates this oil is part of a stockpile of at least 25 million barrels sent to China in late 2018, when Tehran feared sanctions from Trump’s first administration. Following negotiations in November and December, Beijing approved the shipment last month.

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This sale could increase tensions with Washington as Trump assumes office on January 20. However, much of the revenue from these sales remains locked outside Iran due to U.S. sanctions. Even if Iran manages to sell all the stock, it is unclear how much money it will receive, as its oil is sold at a discount due to the sanctions.

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