FNA - Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Army Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan described ISIL and other terrorist groups in the region as foot soldiers of the US who have been created to wear off the Muslim states' growing power.

"The Americans are seeking to prevent the Islamic countries' empowerment through the ISIL and other terrorist groups, using the Muslim states' capitals and deceiving them," General Pourdastan said on Wednesday.


He also described attempts to stir civil wars and disintegrate the regional countries as another plot by the US to weaken the Muslim world.


General Pourdastan also said that the Americans intended to contain Iran by launching attack against Iraq and Afghanistan but the Islamic Republic's deterrence power stopped them.


In relevant remarks last month, General Pourdastan underlined that his forces enjoy intelligence superiority over the ISIL terrorists in certain parts of Iraq and Afghanistan.


"In addition to the air and sea, we have been able to gain good intelligence superiority over the moves of  ISIL affiliates in Iraq's Diyala province and recently, in 3 provinces of Afghanistan," Pourdastan said.


He underscored the Iranian Armed Forces' preparedness to give a decisive response to any threats, and said, "Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran has developed such a power that it makes those who threaten it regret their deeds."


Also in July, General Pourdastan said that Iran has warned the ISIL terrorists not to approach areas 40km away from the Iranian borders, adding that the Iranian Armed Forces' strategy is annihilation of terrorists before they approach the bordering regions.


"The Ground Forces are deployed at the country's western borders and monitor the situation," he said.