Escalating Hostile Rhetoric Will Not Go Unanswered

TEHRAN (Iran News) Major General Amir Hatami, Commander-in-Chief of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, made the remarks on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, while addressing students of the 86th Command and Staff Course at the Army Command and General Staff University.

Hatami described the current global period as an era marked by efforts to establish a “new world order,” warning that such attempts have created widespread security challenges at the global, regional, and national levels. He said these developments have fueled instability and insecurity across various regions.

Referring to historical developments in West Asia, Hatami cited the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of what he described as the “Zionist regime” as examples of actions taken by global powers in the region. He recalled remarks by former U.S. President Joe Biden following the “Al-Aqsa Storm” operation, quoting Biden as saying that if Israel did not exist, it would have to be created. Hatami said such statements explain Washington’s continued support for Israel despite what he called its extensive crimes, adding that Israel serves as a forward and proxy base for Western powers and holds strategic importance for them.

The army chief emphasized that Iran’s strategic geographic position, combined with the ideology and ideals of the Islamic Revolution, has significantly increased the country’s capabilities. However, he warned that adversaries are seeking to strip Iran of these strengths by targeting its sources of national power.

Hatami identified the Iranian people and the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution as the country’s two main pillars of power, stating that adversaries harbor deep hostility toward both. He described sanctions as part of a broader strategy aimed at harming the Iranian people by creating economic pressure.

“Like all countries, Iran has its own challenges and must address and reform them,” Hatami said. “However, the enemy has placed special focus on harming the people, and this must not be overlooked.”

Addressing recent unrest in Iran, Hatami said that protests are a normal and natural phenomenon in all countries. However, he argued that the rapid transformation of protests into violent disturbances is abnormal and inconsistent with the character of the Iranian nation. He asserted that such developments are the result of deliberate planning by hostile forces.

He also rejected any connection between Iran’s domestic labor and professional protests and foreign leaders, including the U.S. president or the Israeli prime minister. Praising public behavior during recent incidents, Hatami said the Iranian people demonstrated vigilance and restraint by refusing to align themselves with rioters.

“Despite their grievances, people did not stand alongside those seeking chaos, nor did they fall into the narrative promoted by the U.S. president and the prime minister of the Zionist regime,” he said. “This dignity, patience, intelligence, and insight of our people are a source of pride. As a soldier, I bow in respect before this noble nation.”

Hatami also praised Iran’s armed forces—including the Army, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and law enforcement and security agencies—for their performance during what he described as the “12-day imposed war.” He said their actions created a lasting record of pride in Iran’s history.

He stressed the importance of examining the deeper causes and roots of that conflict in order to better understand both Iran’s position and the strategies of its adversaries. “Today, the Army is moving along a clearly defined path and has not lost a single moment in fulfilling its critical mission,” he said. “Major General Amir Hatami”

Addressing what he described as hostile rhetoric and foreign interference in Iran’s internal affairs, Hatami asserted that Iran’s military preparedness is now significantly higher than it was before the war. “Major General Amir Hatami”

“I say with confidence that if the enemy makes a mistake, it will receive a more decisive response, and we will cut off the hand of any aggressor,” he said. “The Islamic Republic of Iran considers the escalation of hostile rhetoric against its nation a threat and will not leave it unanswered.”

In closing, Hatami warned that any act of aggression against Iran would have far-reaching consequences. He reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to defending Iran’s independence, territorial integrity, and political system. “Major General Amir Hatami”

“The people should be assured that we will guarantee their security,” he said. “I proudly declare that I consider myself a sacrifice for the nation and am ready to give my life for even a one-day-old infant anywhere in this country. I am confident that all my comrades in the Army share this same sense of duty.”

At the beginning of the ceremony, Brigadier General Valivand Zamani, Commander of the Army Command and Staff University, said the institution closely monitors and analyzes regional and global developments, adding that its assessments are grounded in factual analysis.