Iran’s top military commander issued a threat of preemptive measures in response to what he termed “rhetoric” directed at the nation, which is currently confronting widespread protests. Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami’s statement is believed to be a reaction to President Trump’s warning that the U.S. would intervene if Iran used violence against demonstrators.
Trump recently affirmed that the United States would become involved if it observed Iran abusing or killing protesters.
On Truth Social, the president wrote, “If Iran shoots [sic] and violently kills peaceful protesters, which is their custom, the United States of America will come to their rescue. We are locked and loaded and ready to go.”
The significance of Trump’s warning was amplified for Iran in the wake of a recent U.S. operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture and extradition of Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
While addressing students at a military academy, Hatami stated, “The considers the intensification of such rhetoric against the Iranian nation as a threat and will not leave its continuation without a response,” as reported by The Associated Press, which quoted the state-run IRNA news agency.
He further commented, “I can say with confidence that today the readiness of Iran’s armed forces is far greater than before the war. If the enemy commits an error, it will face a more decisive response, and we will cut off the hand of any aggressor.”
Economic difficulties have sparked an uprising among citizens, and the international criticism regarding the handling of protesters has made regime officials feel endangered, especially by the .
To calm the disturbances, the Iranian government initiated a monthly payment equal to $7 to help offset increasing food costs for staples like rice, meat, and pasta. According to the AP, Iranian state television announced the subsidy would be distributed to over 71 million people nationwide. The report also mentioned that this new subsidy is more than twice the previous amount of 4.5 million rials.
As reported by the AP, Iranian merchants have cautioned that prices for essential items such as cooking oil could increase threefold due to the pressure from the nation’s collapsing currency. Iranian media have also allegedly reported on rising prices for basic commodities, including cooking oil, poultry, and cheese.
Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah, Iran’s vice president for executive affairs, informed reporters that the country is engaged in a “full-fledged economic war,” the AP reported. He also urged “economic surgery” to eliminate rentier policies and , the AP added.
The protests, which started towards the end of last month, continue without any indication of ceasing. The National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) asserted that protesters had effectively “taken over” the cities of Abdanan (in Ilam province) and Malekshahi.
The Associated Press and Digital’s Emma Bussey contributed to this report.