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Iranian Army Chief: Tehran Views Trump and Netanyahu's Statements as a 'Threat' and 'Will Respond'

Published January 7, 2026, 12:22
Iranian Army Chief: Tehran Views Trump and Netanyahu's Statements as a 'Threat' and 'Will Respond'

The chief of the Iranian army, General Amir Hatami, stated that Iran considers the statements made by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the protests in Iran as a “threat” and pledged that Tehran “will respond.” Hatami warned that Iran would respond with greater determination to any action against it, compared to the 12-day war in June with Israel and the United States. Trump had threatened military intervention if protesters were killed, while Netanyahu had offered his support to the protesters. Iranian diplomacy accused the two leaders of “inciting violence” and Israel of seeking to “undermine national unity.” The statement by Hatami represents an escalation of tensions between Iran and the United States/Israel, amid ongoing protests in Iran. The protests began as a reaction to rising fuel prices, but quickly evolved into broader expressions of discontent with the government. The Iranian government has violently suppressed the protests, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people and the arrest of thousands more. The violent crackdown has drawn international condemnation, with many countries calling on Iran to respect the human rights of protesters.