Tehran: Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army, Major General Amir Hatami, has issued a stern warning against any military mischief by the United States, stating that the only acceptable course of action for the Americans is to vacate the region. He emphasized that the US would not be allowed to re-establish bases that pose threats to the Islamic Republic.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, at a ceremony honoring journalists on Sunday, General Hatami addressed several issues, particularly focusing on the persistent American military threat and the recent provocative rhetoric by US President Donald Trump. He highlighted the US defeat and the severe blows dealt by the Iranian Armed Forces, asserting that the Americans have been effectively expelled from the region and would no longer be permitted to enter the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, or the Strait of Hormuz.
General Hatami made it clear that US bases cannot return to their previous status, and Iran will never allow centers to be established in its vicinity that threaten the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. He reiterated that the only way forward is for the Americans to leave the region entirely.
The top commander also criticized the US president for his recent statements, mentioning Trump's retraction after declaring the Strait of Hormuz part of American territory. He remarked that Trump remains delusional, attempting to portray himself as victorious but in vain. General Hatami noted that only a few people globally take Trump seriously, and even Western media depict him as a loser, someone who hides in a food truck out of fear.
He also commented on the chaos within the US military and reports concerning the USS Abraham Lincoln. According to him, the American warship was hit by Iranian projectiles at least once, impairing its fighter jets' ability to fly. Although the Americans do not admit it, he asserted that the ship is returning.
The commander recounted Iran's military successes against its adversaries, stating that the armed forces remain steadfast and have thwarted enemy plots to divide the nation-whether during the eight years of the Sacred Defense or the 12-Day War and the 40-Day War initiated by the US and Israel.
General Hatami referenced the recent decree by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei, saying that any military escalation in the region would only bolster Iran's resolve in its defense.
He concluded by addressing the US's claim of military prowess, stating that the Americans built their capacities after World War II through extortion and ransom, but the war with Iran shattered their hegemony. The US no longer holds the power it once did, and countries that once relied on it are now considering their own security.
In his speech, the army chief applauded the media's role during the war, attributing enemy confessions of Iran's victory to the nation's resistance, the sacrifice of its warriors, the blood of its martyrs, and the credible reporting of events by Iranian media and journalists.