Iran's top military commander issued a stark warning of potential preemptive action on Wednesday, responding to what he called threatening "rhetoric" from the United States. The threat from Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami comes as the Islamic Republic grapples with a dual challenge: external pressure from the U.S. and Israel, and internal unrest fueled by a severe economic crisis and widespread protests.
Military Chief Warns of Decisive Response
Speaking to military academy students in Tehran, Army Chief Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami stated that Iran views the intensification of hostile rhetoric as a direct threat. "The Islamic Republic considers the intensification of such rhetoric against the Iranian nation as a threat and will not leave its continuation without a response," Hatami said, according to the state-run IRNA news agency.
He confidently added that Iran's armed forces are now in a state of heightened readiness. "If the enemy commits an error, it will face a more decisive response, and we will cut off the hand of any aggressor," he declared. The comments are widely seen as a direct reply to recent statements from U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned America would "come to the rescue" if Iran violently suppressed peaceful protesters.
Hatami's appointment as commander-in-chief of Iran's regular army, the Artesh, followed the deaths of several top commanders in a 12-day war with Israel in June. He is the first regular military officer in decades to hold a position traditionally controlled by the powerful paramilitary Revolutionary Guard.
Economic Despair Fuels Nationwide Protests
The military threats unfold against a backdrop of deep domestic turmoil. Protests that began on December 28, triggered by the collapsing value of the Iranian rial and soaring prices, have now entered their second week. According to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, the demonstrations have resulted in at least 36 deaths, including 30 protesters, four children, and two security force members.
Protests have spread to over 280 locations across 27 of Iran's 31 provinces, reflecting not just economic frustration but also long-simmering anger at government repression and policies that have led to Iran's global isolation, as noted by the Soufan Center think tank.
In a desperate attempt to quell public anger, the Iranian government initiated a new subsidy payment on Wednesday. The payment, equivalent to roughly $7 per month, was deposited into the bank accounts of heads of households and is intended to help cover the cost of essentials like rice, meat, and pasta. While the subsidy is more than double the previous amount, it is dwarfed by rampant inflation.
Subsidy Fails to Offset Spiraling Inflation
The new 10-million-rial subsidy is a direct response to the economic pain felt by millions. Over 71 million Iranians are set to receive the benefit. However, the Iranian rial now trades at over 1.4 million to the U.S. dollar and continues to depreciate rapidly.
Shopkeepers warn that prices for basic goods like cooking oil could triple. This is due to the currency's collapse and the end of a preferential exchange rate for importers. Iranian media already report sharp price hikes for cooking oil, poultry, and cheese, placing immense strain on households already crippled by international sanctions.
Iran's Vice President for Executive Affairs, Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah, acknowledged the severity of the crisis, stating the country is in a "full-fledged economic war." He called for radical "economic surgery" to eliminate corruption and rent-seeking policies within the system.
The combination of military brinkmanship and profound economic distress paints a picture of a regime under unprecedented pressure, facing significant challenges both from within its borders and from powerful adversaries abroad.
