Iranian army chief warns Washington: Our nuclear expertise does not die
Iranian Defense Minister and Army Commander, Brigadier General Amir Hatami, issued strong warnings to both the United States and Israel, cautioning against the consequences of any military action or attack targeting his country. Hatami emphasized that the Iranian armed forces are currently on high alert and fully prepared for defense in response to recent US military movements in the region, which included the deployment of significant reinforcements following threats made by US President Donald Trump.
Nuclear expertise: knowledge that cannot be erased
In response to Western speculation about the possibility of targeting nuclear facilities, Hatami emphasized a crucial point regarding the nature of the Iranian nuclear program. He explained that what Tehran possesses is not merely infrastructure that can be destroyed by bombing, but rather "endemic expertise and technical knowledge" residing in the minds of Iranian scientists, something that cannot be eradicated by military strikes, no matter how precise. These statements coincided with American expectations that military pressure might compel Tehran to come to the negotiating table.
Tensions escalate and military buildup intensifies
These statements come amid heightened tensions in the Gulf region and the Middle East, where Washington has bolstered its military presence by deploying the aircraft carrier strike group USS Abraham Lincoln and strategic bombers. This buildup followed the United States' unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear agreement (the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) and the imposition of a "maximum pressure" campaign and crippling economic sanctions on Tehran, pushing the region to the brink of direct confrontation.
Regional repercussions and a threat to Israel's security
The Iranian official, as quoted by the official IRNA news agency, warned that any miscalculation by the "enemy" would not only harm Iran but would ignite the entire region. He directly indicated that the security of Israel (the Zionist entity) and American interests in the region would be in immediate danger should any conflict erupt. The international community fears that these tensions could lead to the closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world's oil supply passes, potentially triggering a global energy crisis.
Between escalation and calls for negotiation
Despite the mutual threats and warnings, and the Iranian threat to target American bases and ships with missiles, the American side kept the door slightly ajar for diplomacy, as Trump expressed his expectation that the Iranian leadership would eventually seek to conclude a new agreement on its nuclear and missile programs to avoid war, which Tehran has so far met with a refusal to negotiate under pressure.
