Top Iranian general tells officers to prepare for any attack, state media reports

PHOTO CAPTION: Illustrative file photo — Members of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) navy participate in an exercise in the south of Iran, in this picture obtained on January 17, 2023. (IRGC/WANA/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS)

DUBAI  -  Iran's operational headquarters must monitor "enemy movements with utmost pessimism and accuracy" and be ready to counter any method of attack, the country's army commander-in-chief Amir Hatami was quoted as saying by state media on Thursday. 

U.S. President Donald Trump has said the Iran conflict is “nearing completion” and could end within weeks, but a parallel buildup of additional U.S. troops in the Gulf has raised concerns that preparations may be underway for potential ground operations.

"No enemy troops should survive if adversaries attempt a ground operation," state media quoted Hatami as saying. 

State media shared a soundless footage showing Hatami in a room with three other army commanders and on a video call with about a dozen others. Reuters could not immediately verify when the footage was taken.

 (Reporting by Dubai NewsroomEditing by Alexandra Hudson // REUTERS / Headline revised by Paul Garraty (OAF Nation))