Tehran [Iran], April 2 (ANI): Iran’s Army Chief Major General Amir Hatami on Thursday warned adversaries that any ground offensive would be met with decisive lethal force, reported semi-official Fars News Agency.
Hatami said “not a single” life will be spared if a ground invasion occurs, referring chiefly to possible US or Israeli ground operations as the regional conflict escalates. He stressed the armed forces are prepared offensively and defensively and urged constant surveillance of enemy movements with “utmost suspicion and precision,” ready to execute counter-plans at the right time.
He said Iran’s strategy aims to ensure national security and deter external threats, adding that Tehran will press on until its strategic objectives are achieved. “The strategy of Islamic Iran is clear: the shadow of war must be lifted from our country, and security must exist for all; it cannot be that some places are secure while our people are not in security. We will not let go of our enemies until we achieve the outlined objectives,” Hatami said, per Fars.
The remarks come amid rising tensions in West Asia and growing fears of a wider conflict, including the risk of a ground offensive. The White House earlier said deploying additional US troops to the region gives President Donald Trump “maximum optionality” amid ongoing diplomatic efforts with Tehran to end the conflict.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the troop deployments maintain strategic flexibility while diplomatic channels seek a deal. Asked about possible ground operations, she said the president has declined to rule them out and that it is the Pentagon’s job to provide options; she added the president would not notify the media of such decisions to avoid tipping off enemies.
Reports in The Washington Post say the Pentagon is preparing plans for potential extended ground operations in Iran lasting several weeks. US officials told the paper such operations would likely fall short of a full-scale invasion and could involve targeted raids by Special Operations forces and conventional infantry.
Meanwhile, the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, with about 3,500 Marines and sailors, entered the US CENTCOM area of responsibility, deploying one of America’s largest amphibious assault ships into the active theater in West Asia amid the conflict. (ANI)
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