In a new escalation of military rhetoric in the Middle East, Iranian Army Commander Amir Hatami issued a strong warning to the United States and Israel against launching any attack on his country. Hatami emphasized that the Iranian armed forces are on high alert, stressing that the nuclear expertise Iran has acquired over decades cannot be eliminated by any military action. This was a direct response to statements by then-US President Donald Trump, who had predicted that Tehran would seek a new agreement.
Background to the tension: Withdrawal from the nuclear agreement
These statements come amid escalating tensions that began with the Trump administration's decision in May 2018 to unilaterally withdraw from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal, which was signed in 2015 between Iran and the P5+1 group. Following the withdrawal, Washington reimposed harsh economic sanctions on Tehran as part of a policy it called "maximum pressure," aimed at forcing Iran to negotiate a new agreement that would address its missile program and regional policies.
Strategic importance and regional influence
This policy led to an increased military buildup in the region, with Washington reinforcing its presence by deploying a carrier strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to the Gulf, citing intelligence reports of potential Iranian threats to US interests. This deployment raised international and regional concerns about a direct military confrontation that could result from any miscalculation by either side. Iran warned that it would respond forcefully to any attack, targeting US bases and ships, as well as those of Washington's allies in the region, particularly Israel, thus threatening the stability of vital waterways such as the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world's oil supply passes.
Iran's deterrence message
Hatami's statement that "nuclear expertise cannot be destroyed" carries a clear message of deterrence. It implies that even if Iranian nuclear facilities are destroyed, the scientific and technological knowledge and expertise possessed by Iranian scientists and engineers will remain, enabling them to rebuild the program in the future. According to the Iranian news agency IRNA, Hatami added, "If the enemy makes a mistake, it will undoubtedly jeopardize its own security, as well as the security of the region and the Zionist entity," emphasizing that the armed forces are "at the highest level of defensive and military readiness" to protect the country's interests and sovereignty.
