Iran army chief threatens response to Trump and Netanyahu's 'threats'

TEHRAN – Iran's armed forces commander-in-chief, General Amir Hatami, issued a stark warning on Wednesday, declaring that the Islamic Republic would not tolerate escalating "hostile rhetoric" from US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and vowing a decisive response if threats continue.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran considers the escalation of hostile rhetoric against the Iranian nation a threat and will not tolerate its continuation without responding," Hatami said in statements reported by Iran's Fars news agency. He further cautioned that any "mistake" by adversaries would provoke a response "more robust" than Iran's actions during the brief but intense 12-day war with Israel in June 2025.

Hatami, who assumed command of Iran's regular army (Artesh) following Israeli strikes that eliminated several top Revolutionary Guard commanders last year, emphasized that external powers have no business interfering in Iran's internal affairs.

The warning comes amid widespread anti-government protests in Iran, triggered by severe economic hardships including soaring prices for basic goods and the collapse of the rial currency.

Demonstrations, which began over rising costs for essentials like rice and meat, have evolved into broader challenges against the theocratic regime, with reports of clashes and fatalities.

In recent days, Trump has publicly backed the protesters, threatening US intervention if Iranian security forces violently suppress demonstrations.

"If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think they’re going to get hit very hard by the United States," Trump stated.

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has similarly expressed solidarity, telling his cabinet: "We stand in solidarity with the struggle of the Iranian people and with their aspirations for freedom, liberty and justice."

Iran's Foreign Ministry has accused both leaders of inciting violence and undermining national unity.

Hatami's remarks also reference lingering fallout from the June 2025 conflict, in which Israel, with brief US participation, struck Iranian nuclear and military sites. Tehran views ongoing statements from Washington and Jerusalem about preventing Iran from rebuilding its missile or nuclear capabilities as direct threats.

While Iran has signaled openness to diplomacy in some areas, hardliners like Hatami project defiance, underscoring the regime's sensitivity to perceived foreign meddling amid domestic unrest.