Iran's army chief warns of preemptive response after Trump comments

Iran's army chief Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami warned of a preemptive response to what he called threatening rhetoric after reported comments by U.S. President Donald Trump; nationwide protests continue and the government began a small monthly subsidy amid a sharply weakened rial.

Iran's army chief Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami warned of a preemptive military response to what he described as threatening rhetoric, remarks reported after comments by U.S. President Donald Trump. Hatami made the remarks while speaking to military academy students and is the first regular army officer in decades to hold the position previously controlled by the Revolutionary Guard. The comments come amid large nationwide protests that began in late December and continued into their 11th day, and while Iran's government has introduced a small monthly subsidy to ease rising food costs. Key facts: - Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami said the Islamic Republic sees intensified rhetoric against the country as a threat and announced that such rhetoric will not go unanswered, according to state-run IRNA. - His remarks followed President Donald Trump's comment, reported as warning that the United States would intervene if Iranian authorities violently killed protesters. - Activist groups report that protests have spread to many cities since Dec. 28, with at least 36 people reported killed and more than 2,100 arrested; these figures are reported by U.S.-based monitoring groups. - Iranian state media reported a new monthly subsidy of 10 million rials (reported as about $7) paid to heads of households, while the rial has sharply depreciated against the dollar. - The reporting did not indicate any immediate public sign that Iran is preparing a regional military attack. Summary: Hatami's statements add to existing external tensions at a time of significant domestic unrest and economic strain in Iran. Undetermined at this time.