Iranian army chief warns US, Israel not to support anti-regime protests

“What do Netanyahu and Trump have to do with Iranian economic protests,” fumes the commander of Iran’s military, warning the US and Israel not to get involved in the popular unrest sweeping Iran.

By World Israel News Staff

The commander-in-chief of the Iranian military fumed Wednesday over American and Israeli support for the ongoing anti-regime protests that have roiled the country over the past ten days, blasting the two countries for social media posts and public statements on the demonstrations.

Amir Hatami, chief of the Iranian military and a former defense minister, expressed concern over the escalation of the protest movement, which began with a series of non-violent marches, into deadly clashes with security forces.

“Protests in any country are a normal and natural matter, but what is unusual and uncommon is the rapid transformation of protests into violent riots,” Hatami said.

The 59-year-old major general warned the US and Israel not to provoke Iran by intervening on behalf of the protesters, claiming Iran’s military has enhanced its operational preparedness since the June war.

“I say with confidence that the readiness of the armed forces is now far greater compared to the conditions before the war. If the enemy makes a mistake, it will receive a more decisive response — we will cut off the hand of any attacker.”

Hatami added that Iran views even verbal encouragement of the protest movement as a “threat” to the regime, and condemned President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for their comments on the unrest.

“Iran views the escalation of hostile rhetoric against the Iranian nation as a real threat and will not leave it unanswered, as long as it continues,” Hatami said. “What do Netanyahu and Trump have to do with protests over labor and the economy?”

“They interfere in our internal affairs by tweeting and speaking. They have been our enemies throughout history.”