A top Iranian military official criticized the United States for being the world’s leading cause of environmental damage. Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi, deputy commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, spoke at a conference on environmental threats and national security. He highlighted the role of environmental violations in global security and emphasized the United States’ responsibility. Environmental violations, he said, are largely caused by human-made actions from Washington and other Western nations. Vahidi said the U.S. leads the world in producing weapons that harm the environment. He added that other Western countries follow in causing environmental destruction. The official also criticized the so-called Golden Dome missile defense project. He said the program represents interference in outer space and the militarization of space. International conventions prohibit militarizing space, yet the US has repeatedly disregarded such agreements.
The IRGC general also cited nuclear tests as major environmental threats. He noted that tests conducted underwater, underground, and in the upper atmosphere cause serious ecological damage. According to Vahidi, the majority of large-scale nuclear experiments were carried out by the United States, resulting in lasting harm to the environment. He warned that such actions create long-term global risks. Vahidi discussed recent conflicts in Gaza as another example of deliberate environmental destruction. He said bombings by the US and its allies have caused both human casualties and ecological damage. The general emphasized that wars themselves are significant drivers of environmental violations.
Experts note that environmental destruction has broad implications for global security and public health. Deliberate and uncontrolled environmental damage can worsen climate change, reduce natural resources, and create international tensions. Officials stress that addressing these violations requires stronger enforcement of international laws and greater accountability. Looking ahead, Vahidi warned that continued disregard for environmental standards could escalate global risks. He urged international cooperation to prevent further human-made hazards. Environmental violations, he said, threaten both nature and security, making it a critical concern for all nations.