Iran Army Chief Warns of Preemptive Strike Amid Rising Tensions with U.S.

Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami, Iran’s army commander-in-chief, threatened preemptive military action Wednesday in response to "hostile rhetoric" from the United States. The warning follows President Donald Trump’s recent message that America would "rescue" Iranian protesters if the government uses lethal force.

Hatami’s comments reflect Tehran’s growing anxiety over a dual threat from Israel and the U.S. The pressure has intensified following a U.S. military raid in Venezuela last weekend that captured President Nicolás Maduro, a key Iranian ally.

As of January 7, 2026, the Iranian government has officially increased household subsidies to 10 million rials (approx. $7) to combat inflation, while HRANA reports 36 deaths linked to the ongoing nationwide protests.

"The Islamic Republic considers the intensification of such rhetoric a threat and will not leave it without a response," Hatami told military students, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. While Hatami claimed Iran’s forces are more prepared than ever, there are currently no public signs of imminent mobilization.

The military threats coincide with a deepening domestic crisis. Protests sparked by economic hardship have entered their 11th day, spreading to over 280 locations. In an attempt to quell the anger, the government began distributing $7 monthly subsidies to 71 million citizens to offset the soaring costs of essentials like rice and meat.

The Iranian rial has plummeted to over 1.4 million per U.S. dollar. Vice President Mohammad Jafar Ghaempanah described the situation as a "full-fledged economic war," calling for "economic surgery" to cut corruption. However, with the end of subsidized exchange rates, shopkeepers warn that basic goods like cooking oil could soon triple in price.

According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), at least 36 people have died in the unrest, including four children and two security officers. Analysts suggest the protests reflect long-standing frustration over government repression and the regime’s global isolation.