In comments at a meeting with a number of Iranian lawmakers, Major General Amir Hatami pointed to the long-standing hostility of the US and the Zionist regime toward the Islamic Republic.
He said Iran had been engaged in negotiations with the US when it came under a savage attack by the Zionist regime with American support and cooperation in June.
The Zionist regime launched the assault with the aim of destroying Iran’s nuclear, missile, and air-defense capabilities and assassinating commanders, before moving on to pursue the overthrow of the Islamic establishment and the Iranian state, the Army chief added.
He noted that the Israeli regime was ultimately defeated thanks to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei’s guidance in replacing commanders, the self-sacrifice and strength of the Armed Forces, and the awareness of the Iranian nation.
Major General Hatami stated that Iran emerged victorious in the conflict because the enemy failed to achieve its objectives, and underlined that the Zionist regime views Iran as an existential threat.
He made it clear that Iran has since committed itself to unceasingly enhancing its defensive power and overall strength.
On June 13, Israel launched an unprovoked war against Iran, assassinating many high-ranking commanders, nuclear scientists, and civilians.
More than a week later, the United States also entered the war by bombing three Iranian nuclear facilities in a grave violation of the United Nations Charter, international law, and the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Iran’s armed forces responded by striking strategic sites across the occupied territories as well as the al-Udeid air base in Qatar, the largest American military facility in West Asia.
On June 24, Iran said its retaliatory operations against Israel and the United States imposed a halt to the illegal assault.
Senior Iranian commanders have warned that any new act of aggression will prompt an even stronger response.