Tehran — Iran’s Army Chief, Major General Amir Hatami, warned on Thursday that any ground offensive against Iranian territory would be met with decisive, lethal force, the semi-official Fars News Agency reported. Hatami framed his remarks chiefly toward the possibility of US or Israeli ground operations as regional tensions rise.
Hatami said forces are prepared both offensively and defensively and called for constant, precise monitoring of enemy movements so countermeasures can be executed at the right moment. He emphasized that Iran’s strategy is aimed at securing the country and deterring external threats, saying Tehran will continue pressure until its strategic goals are met. “The strategy of Islamic Iran is clear: the shadow of war must be lifted from our country, and security must exist for all,” he said, adding that Iran would not relent until those objectives are achieved.
The comments come amid growing concern about a wider confrontation in West Asia and speculation about a potential ground campaign. The White House has said recent US troop deployments to the region are intended to give President Donald Trump “maximum optionality” while diplomatic efforts to resolve the crisis continue.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the deployments preserve strategic flexibility and that the Pentagon must provide military options. When asked whether ground operations were being ruled out, she said the president had not done so and that operational details would not be shared publicly so as not to alert adversaries.
Separately, The Washington Post reported that Pentagon planners are preparing for potential limited ground operations in Iran that could last several weeks and might involve Special Operations raids and conventional infantry rather than a full-scale invasion. Meanwhile, the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli, carrying about 3,500 Marines and sailors, has entered the US Central Command area of responsibility, joining US forces in the region.
The situation remains fluid, with leaders on multiple sides signaling readiness and officials emphasizing both military preparedness and ongoing diplomatic engagement.
