On Saturday, Amir Hatami, commander-in-chief of the Iranian army, warned the United States and Israel that any attack on the Islamic state could endanger the security of the region and the “Zionist regime.” He stressed that Iran’s nuclear capabilities cannot be destroyed and that the country’s armed forces remain at full defensive and military readiness.
The statement followed Washington’s deployment of a naval strike group, including the USS Abraham Lincoln, to the Persian Gulf.
Tensions in Iran are further fuelled by a wave of nationwide protests that began in late December over rising living costs and later escalated into broader anti-government demonstrations. Although the unrest has now subsided, official figures report thousands of deaths, while authorities have blamed the U.S. and Israel for allegedly fomenting the disturbances.
In addition to Hatami’s warning, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called on the government to address citizens’ grievances and uphold social justice.
