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Iran army chief tells commanders to prepare for any attack, state media reports

AL-Monitor
Apr 2, 2026
Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army, Amir Hatami speaks during a meeting with military academy students, in Tehran, Iran, in this handout image obtained on January 7, 2026. Iranian Army/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS
Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army, Amir Hatami speaks during a meeting with military academy students, in Tehran, Iran, in this handout image obtained on January 7, 2026. Iranian Army/WANA (West Asia News Agency)/Handout via REUTERS — Iranian Army

DUBAI, April 2 (Reuters) - Iran's operational headquarters must monitor "enemy movements with utmost pessimism and accuracy" and be ready to counter any method of attack, the country's army commander-in-chief Amir Hatami was quoted as saying by state media on Thursday.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said the Iran conflict is “nearing completion” and could end within weeks, but a parallel buildup of additional U.S. troops in the Gulf has raised concerns that preparations may be underway for potential ground operations.

"No enemy troops should survive if adversaries attempt a ground operation," state media quoted Hatami as saying.

State media shared a soundless footage showing Hatami in a room with three other army commanders and on a video call with about a dozen others. Reuters could not immediately verify when the footage was taken.

(Reporting by Dubai NewsroomEditing by Alexandra Hudson)