TEHRAN (Realist English). Iran’s Army Chief Major General Amir Hatami says the country is accelerating efforts to strengthen its defensive capabilities in response to what he described as ongoing external threats. Speaking on Sunday to members of Parliament’s Civil Commission, Hatami said the armed forces “have not lost a moment” in advancing national defense.
“Among the components of national power, those related to defense belong to the armed forces and the Army of the Islamic Republic,” Hatami said. “We are seriously and continuously striving to improve these components.”
Referring to the 12-day conflict with Israel in June, Hatami said national unity, the role of Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, and the sacrifices of Iranian forces were decisive in forcing Israel to seek a ceasefire. He said the confrontation had heightened public awareness of external threats and reinforced the country’s resolve to bolster its military posture.
“The cohesion, empathy and determination of the Iranian nation, together with the efforts of the armed forces, compelled the enemy to request a ceasefire,” he said. “Our people are now more aware of the enemy’s intentions than in the past.”
Hatami added that Iran intends to preserve and expand its defensive strength, emphasising that the strategic lessons of the June conflict will guide future preparedness.
His remarks followed a separate warning from a senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force, who vowed a “crushing response” to any new acts of aggression.
The June 13 Israeli attack triggered a 12-day confrontation that killed more than 1,000 people, including military officers, nuclear scientists and civilians, according to Iranian officials. The United States later joined the fighting by striking three Iranian nuclear sites, a move Tehran condemned as a violation of international law.
Iran retaliated with strikes on targets inside Israeli-occupied territory and on the US Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, one of Washington’s largest regional installations. By June 24, Iranian officials said coordinated operations had forced a halt to the offensive.
