Iranian official threatens preemptive strike after Trump threat
Iran’s defense chief Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami warned of preemptive strikes after former President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the U.S. would back anti-government protesters in Iran. Hatami, who took command after his predecessor was assassinated during last year’s conflict with Israel, told military cadets that Tehran views such rhetoric as a threat and that Iran’s armed forces are more prepared than before the war and would respond decisively to any aggression.
the comments come amid nationwide protests that began Dec. 28 over economic collapse, a sharply devalued rial, and soaring inflation (about 42% in December 2025), compounded by sanctions, corruption, recent military setbacks, and a water crisis. The government announced a $7 monthly subsidy to citizens – an amount far below estimated basic needs of roughly $200 per month.
Protests have rapidly expanded: a rights group counted 348 protest points in the first 11 days across 111 cities and 31 provinces, with at least 34 protesters and two security personnel killed and over 2,000 arrests. Violence has occurred, including the assassination of a local police commander and symbolic acts like tearing down the Islamic Republic’s flag in Mashhad.
Reza Pahlavi, son of the last shah, has played an active role this round, with chants calling for his return and efforts to coordinate defections and protests using QR codes. Some protesters have embraced Trump’s stance, even renaming a Tehran street in his honor; the U.S. State Department’s Farsi account praised the anonymous act and expressed support for Iranian aspirations. Analysts report security forces have been cornered in some areas and that Tehran may be preparing armed responses involving the IRGC and proxy militias.
Iranian official threatens preemptive strike after Trump vows to defend protesters
The head of Iran’s military threatened preemptive strikes after President Donald Trump threatened to defend anti-government protesters taking over the country.
Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami, who assumed the position of commander in chief after his predecessor was assassinated by Israel during the 12 Day War in June, voiced the threatening remarks to military cadets.
“The Islamic Republic considers the intensification of such rhetoric against the Iranian nation as a threat and will not leave its continuation without a response,” Hatami said in remarks reported by the IRNA news agency.
“I can say with confidence that today the readiness of Iran’s armed forces is far greater than before the war. If the enemy commits an error, it will face a more decisive response, and we will cut off the hand of any aggressor,” he added.
His comments appear to be in response to Trump’s post on Truth Social, threatening military backing for Iranian protesters. The comments also come as Tehran faces one of the greatest threats to its regime since the Iran-Iraq War, this time in the form of nationwide protests.
The ongoing protests began on Dec. 28 in response to an economic collapse, with the Iranian Rial losing a huge amount of its value. The rial has lost over half its value against the U.S. dollar over the past year, the New York Times reported, and inflation was over 42% in December 2025. Conditions were only made worse by recent military defeats, crippling sanctions, corruption, and an unparalleled water crisis.
In a move exemplifying the poor position of the regime, the government announced it was giving the citizenry the equivalent of $7 per month to improve their conditions.
The $7 monthly subsidy will be enough to cover 100 eggs, a kilogram of red meat, or a few kilograms of rice or chicken at current prices in Iran, the New York Times reported. Iranians’ minimum needs cost roughly $200 a month.
The protests have grown drastically in scope over the past week, reaching a point where some analysts believe the regime may have reached a tipping point.
Zineb Riboua, a researcher with the Hudson Institute, wrote that based on current analysis, she believes the protests will topple the government.
“I have written about protests in Iran before and never argued that the Islamic Republic was finished. I have been optimistic about Iran’s younger generation and its rejection of clerical rule. This time, however, my judgment is unequivocal. This is it,” she wrote.
The Human Rights Activists in Iran NGO put the total number of “protest points” across the first 11 days at 348, including 45 universities in 111 cities and 31 provinces. Its most recent casualty update put the total at 34 protesters killed, two security forces killed, and 2,076 arrests.
Some anti-government forces have turned to violence. Mahmoud Haqiqat, commander of the police station in Iranshahr, Iran, was assassinated in a drive-by shooting, who recorded the event and posted it online.
In Iran’s second-largest city, Mashhad, protesters were able to tear down and rip apart the flag of the Islamic Republic in the city square.
Some protesters, embracing Trump’s threats to back them, have even begun appropriating his name for the protests. One protester covertly renamed a street in Tehran in Trump’s honor, a move noted by the State Department.
“We honor the action of an anonymous individual in Tehran who named a street after President Trump. The United States respects the voice of the Iranian people and their aspirations. We remain committed to supporting their efforts to achieve freedom, prosperity, and greater opportunities,” the Farsi account of the State Department said in a post on X.
One of the major differences of this round of protests has been the role of Reza Pahlavi, son of the last Shah of Iran and current claimant to the throne. Though he’s supported previous protests, this has been the first time that widespread chants calling for his return have been recorded.
Chants of “This is not the last battle, Pahlavi is returning,” were recorded in numerous places on Wednesday, while “Iran has become ready, give the command, Prince,” was recorded elsewhere. “Long live the Shah!” was another widespread chant.
Reza Pahlavi himself has distributed messages calling for defections among the armed forces, and coordinated protests through QR codes. Protesters have blasted his addresses through loudspeakers in public places.
IRAN ROLLS OUT $7 PAYMENTS TO QUELL AFFORDABILITY PROTESTS
While reports of cities “falling” to protesters are uncertain, videos have shown security forces cornered and greatly outnumbered by hostile protesters.
Some analysts reported that Tehran has begun preparing an armed response from the IRGC and even some of its proxy militias in Iraq.
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