TEHRAN: Iran’s army chief, Amir Hatami, warned on Saturday that any military action by the United States or Israel would trigger serious consequences, saying Iranian forces are on heightened readiness amid increased US military activity in the Gulf.
Speaking to state-run IRNA, Hatami cautioned that any miscalculation by Iran’s adversaries would threaten not only their own security but also stability across the region, including Israel. He stressed that Iran’s armed forces remain fully prepared to respond to aggression.
The remarks follow Washington’s decision to deploy a naval strike group to the Middle East, centered around the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. The move comes after weeks of unrest inside Iran and sharp warnings from US President Donald Trump, who has suggested military action remains an option.
The buildup has intensified concerns of a direct clash. Iranian officials have previously warned that any attack would prompt missile strikes on US bases, naval assets, and allied targets, particularly Israel.
On Friday, Trump said he believed Tehran would ultimately opt for negotiations over its nuclear and missile programs rather than risk confrontation. Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi echoed partial openness to talks, while firmly ruling out discussions on the country’s missile capabilities or defensive systems.
Nuclear capability “cannot be destroyed”
Hatami rejected claims that Iran’s nuclear ambitions could be neutralized, even after recent attacks. He said the country’s scientific knowledge would endure regardless of losses, referring to Israeli strikes that killed senior military figures and nuclear experts during a 12-day conflict earlier this year.
The United States also carried out airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June, briefly entering the conflict alongside Israel.
Meanwhile, US Central Command announced that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps would conduct a two-day live-fire naval drill in the Strait of Hormuz a vital corridor for global energy shipments. CENTCOM urged the IRGC to avoid unsafe actions near American forces.
Tensions were further heightened after the European Union designated the IRGC as a terrorist organization, following a similar US move in 2019. Tehran condemned the decision and pledged retaliatory measures.
