Iran’s Army chief Major Gen. Amir Hatami said Friday that the country’s forces remain on high alert with fingers on the trigger, even as the ceasefire with the US enters its second week without any new attacks from either side, and approaches closer to its expiration, without any success at renewing negotiations.
Marking Army Day, Hatami said Iran’s military is “ready to confront any threat or aggression by enemies,” indicating full operational readiness in case of any immediate escalation.
Hatami’s remarks came just hours after a separate ceasefire was reached between Israel and Lebanon, putting a pause to the IDF’s heavy assault against Tehran-backed Hezbollah operatives in the country; a front that had become a major thorn in the broader US-Iran truce, and threatened to destabilise the fragile ceasefire.
While the ceasefire has continued to hold, halting all direct confrontation between Iran, US and Israel strikes on Iran, as well as putting a stop to Tehran’s missile and drone attacks targeting Gulf states, tensions continue to remain high, particularly in regards to the Strait of Hormuz, which has become another major sticking point, threatening to again destabilise the ceasefire.
Following the US’ imposition of a naval blockade of all Iranian ports, and Iran’s threats of military assault against all vessels headed to the strait without its authorisation have effectively paralysed all traffic through the critical shipping lane.
Washington has continued to press Tehran to back down, with Trump repeatedly demanding that Iran lift its threats over the strait, while Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth warned Iranian commanders to “choose wisely,” adding that “the War Department is locked and loaded.”
Reinforcing the message, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine, said that US forces remain “postured and ready to resume major combat operations at literally a moment’s notice” if diplomacy fails, as CENTCOM has deployed 10,000 service members, along with 15 warships, and 100 aircraft, to enforce its ongoing blockade of Iranian ports.
