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Army chief upbraids US invincibility boast as ‘false and futile’
Major General Amir Hatami, commander-in-chief of the Iranian Army, made the remarks at a graduation ceremony for PhD and master’s students in Defense Management at the Army’s Command & Staff University, according to Tasnim.
To support his argument, he pointed to the United States’ protracted wars in Vietnam and Afghanistan, where it fought for two decades before ultimately withdrawing in disgrace, saying similar outcomes had unfolded in Iraq and other countries.
He stressed, however, that defeating an adversary requires a clear understanding of today’s global realities as well as steadfastness and resilience among the Iranian people.
“In today’s conditions, given the ongoing changes and developments, the responsibility of the Army is undoubtedly decisive,” he said.
Hatami added that modern warfare has become far more complex, describing it as a hybrid conflict spanning political, economic, social, military, psychological and cognitive domains. He said that overcoming such threats depends on accurate awareness and understanding.
Iran’s adversaries, he said, believe the country is currently in a position of weakness while they are strong, but said Iran’s preparedness and resolve would prove them wrong.
Referring to the foreign-backed unrest in January that left many casualties, Hatami accused Iran’s enemies of attempting to stage a “quasi-coup” through miscalculation, but said the effort ultimately failed. Iran has explained that US-Israeli terrorists intervened in people’s peaceful protests and caused fatalities.
Hatami warned that Tehran could face new forms of hostile plots in the future but pledged a “decisive and crushing response.”
Hatami also said the enemy is pursuing a strategy of “strategic attrition” aimed at weakening Iran over time and exhausting its population, but argued that both the government and the public are aware of the broader plan and will counter it. He warned that undermining Iran’s territorial integrity, as seen in some regional countries, is also part of hostile strategies, but vowed that the Iranian people would stand firm and prevent such plans from succeeding.
“We in the Army, with full awareness of our historic mission, will defend the independence, territorial integrity and the Islamic Republic of Iran to the last breath,” he said.