Iran's military chief of staff asserted that "our defence strategy is to protect the independence, territorial integrity and national interests of our country". "While it is true that we have no interest in other country's interests and territory", he added, "we may to switch to an offensive approach to protect our own interests... if there is any intention of attack against our interests, and we see evidence of it, we will not remain passive and allow the country's security and peace to be endangered".