Israeli threats persist, says Iran's military chief Hatami
Listen to article
The commander-in-chief of Iran's military, Amir Hatami, said on Sunday that threats from Israel persist, according to state media.
In June, Israel and the US launched strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities during the so-called 12-day war, in which Tehran retaliated against Israel with several barrages of missiles and drones.
"A 1% threat must be perceived as a 100% threat. We should not underestimate the enemy and consider its threats as over," Hatami said, according to the official IRNA news agency, adding that the Islamic Republic's missile and drone power "remains standing and ready for operations".
Read More: Iranian president reaches Islamabad after paying tribute at Iqbal mausoleum
Last month, Israeli Minister of Defence Israel Katz warned that his country would strike Iran again if threatened.
According to Iran International website, he said Tel Aviv's 'miscalculation' was exposed during the 12-day war, which saw Israeli strikes and Iranian retaliation in June.
Also Read: Red carpet rolled out for Iran's president
'We continued our attacks until the very last moment before the ceasefire,' Hatami said, hailing Iran's defense posture.
Hatami warned that the country's adversaries should expect Iran to pursue its military and scientific development 'with more resolve than ever.'
The comments come amid lingering regional tensions and follow the killing of senior Iranian military figures in Israeli strikes.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Rifts in Israel over full Gaza occupation
The Israeli military will have to execute any government decisions on Gaza, the defence minister said Wednesday after reported disagreements over the prospect of a full occupation of the Palestinian territory. Signs of a rift over strategy emerged as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared to announce a new phase in the war, after he said Israel must "complete" the defeat of Hamas in order to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza. The Israeli press, citing officials speaking on condition of anonymity, has predicted an escalation of operations, including in densely populated areas where hostages are believed to be held, such as Gaza City and refugee camps. The reports also said Netanyahu and his cabinet would order a full military occupation of Gaza, sparking dissension from the army's Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir. On Tuesday, Netanyahu held a restricted three-hour meeting with security chiefs to discuss options for the continuation of the war, his office said in a statement. At the meeting, Zamir reportedly warned that a full occupation would be like "walking into a trap," according to public broadcaster KAN. The army chief suggested alternatives to a full occupation, such as an encirclement of specific areas where Hamas is believed to be hunkering down, according to the Channel 12 broadcaster. But Defence Minister Israel Katz hit back with a clear message. "It is the right and duty of the Chief of Staff to express his position in the appropriate forums," he wrote on X. "But once decisions are made by the political echelon, the IDF will execute them with determination and professionalism... until the objectives of the war are achieved," he added, using an acronym for the Israeli military. Netanyahu is expected to convene the security cabinet on Thursday to finalise a decision on the expansion of the offensive, local media reported. US President Donald Trump told reporters on Tuesday he was not aware of reported plans to occupy the entire Gaza Strip, but said that such a decision would be "up to Israel". At war with Hamas since the unprecedented attack by the Palestinian Islamist movement on Israel on October 7, 2023, the Israeli government is under growing pressure to bring the conflict to an end. Israelis are increasingly alarmed about the fate of the dozens of hostages in Gaza. Of the 49 still held there, the Israeli military says 27 are dead. The UN Security Council held a special session on Tuesday to discuss Israeli hostages in Gaza, as the country seeks to keep the issue on top of the global agenda. On Tuesday, Trump described a recent video released by Hamas of emaciated Israeli hostage Evyatar David purportedly digging his own grave as "horrible."
Business Recorder
3 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Critical national & global issues: NA adopts series of resolutions
ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly on Wednesday unanimously adopted a series of resolutions addressing a range of critical national and international issues, including the ongoing Israeli military aggression in Gaza, honour killings, and the safeguarding of digital rights. The first resolution, tabled by Shazia Marri of the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), condemned in unequivocal terms the Israeli military aggression in Gaza, expressing grave concern over civilian casualties, large-scale destruction of infrastructure, and violations of international humanitarian law. The resolution also denounced recent statements from Israeli authorities regarding the long-term occupation of Gaza and the forced displacement of its population, characterising such actions as war crimes under international law. The house called upon the United Nations and the broader international community to intervene decisively to halt hostilities, ensure unimpeded humanitarian access, and uphold the rights of the Palestinian people, including their pursuit of self-determination. It urged the government to raise the issue forcefully at global forums such as the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). In a separate resolution, Shahida Rehmani, also of the PPP, drew the House's attention to the rising incidents of so-called honour killings across various provinces. The resolution underscored the need for a zero-tolerance approach to such crimes and proposed the formation of an interprovincial task force to coordinate efforts in combating this form of violence. Another significant resolution, introduced by NosheenIftikhar of the Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML-N), addressed the protection of citizens' fundamental rights in the digital sphere. It advocated for stricter legislation against unauthorised video recordings, cyber harassment, and digital defamation. It further recommended bolstering the capacity of law enforcement agencies, especially digital forensic units, and called for the establishment of complaint desks within police stations. The resolution also proposed the integration of educational content on digital ethics, privacy rights, and anti-harassment legislation into school curricula, alongside the launch of public awareness campaigns to inform citizens of their digital rights and available legal remedies. In legislative business, the House passed two bills: the Societies Registration (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, both tabled by Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry. Additionally, the government introduced the Pakistan Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2025, and the Motor Vehicles Industry Development Bill, 2025, also moved by Chaudhry. Two ordinances were laid before the House: the Capital Development Authority (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025, presented by the Minister of State for Interior, and the National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority Ordinance, 2025, tabled by Minister for National Food Security and Research, Rana Tanveer Hussain. Addressing a calling attention notice, Minister of State for Interior Tallal Chaudhry stated that a major water infrastructure project is under consideration to address the water requirements of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. He added that the installation of recharge wells is also underway to enhance groundwater levels. On the matter of Utility Stores Corporation (USC) employees, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry informed the House that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has constituted a committee to explore a golden handshake scheme for resolving outstanding employee issues. In a separate briefing, Minister of State for Climate Change, Shezra Kharal, said that a national climate finance strategy is in the works to promote green financing both domestically and internationally. She highlighted the launch of the Recharge Pakistan initiative, aimed at ensuring water conservation and building climate-resilient infrastructure. Collaborative efforts with provincial governments are also underway to curb deforestation, she added. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
3 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Pakistan starts deporting registered Afghans: UNHCR
Around 340,000 Afghans have returned from Pakistan since Islamabad clamped down on illegal immigrants. PHOTO: AFP Pakistan has started to deport documented Afghan refugees ahead of its deadline for them to leave, according to the United Nations, in a move that could see more than 1 million Afghans expelled from the country. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said that it had received reports of arrests and expulsions of legally registered Afghans across the country before Pakistan's September 1 deadline for them to leave. The UNHCR said that sending the Afghans back in this way was a breach of Pakistan's international obligations. "UNHCR is calling on the government to stop the forcible return and adopt a humane approach to ensure voluntary, gradual, and dignified return of Afghans," it said in a statement. The voluntary return of the documented refugees shall commence forthwith, said an interior ministry order seen by Reuters. It said the formal deportation process will start after the deadline. But Qaisar Khan Afridi, a spokesman for the UNHCR, told Reuters on Wednesday that hundreds of legally registered Afghan refugees had already been detained and deported to Afghanistan from August 1 to August 4. The interior ministry did not respond a Reuters request for a comment. "Such massive and hasty return could jeopardize the lives and freedom of Afghan refugees, while also risking instability not only in Afghanistan but across the region," UNHRC said. Afghanistan has rejected the accusations, and has termed the repatriations as forced deportation. In addition to the repatriation from Pakistan, Afghanistan also faces a fresh wave of mass deportations from Iran. Aid groups worry that the influx risks further destabilising the country.
