Tehran: Senior Iranian military commanders emphasized unity among the country’s armed forces and pledged to defend Iran ‘to the death’ amid what they described as threats of a potential US attack. Ali Jahanshahi, commander of the Iranian Army’s Ground Forces, said unity within the military is essential to confronting external threats, according to Iran’s Fars news agency.

According to Anadolu Agency, Jahanshahi stressed that ‘unity among the armed forces is the key to thwarting enemies during crises.’ He emphasized that the armed forces must act as a single entity so that the enemy feels powerless when confronting them. Jahanshahi reaffirmed that the Army’s Ground Forces would stand alongside the Ground Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to defend Iran, highlighting that no sacrifice would be spared in protecting the country’s territory.

In separate remarks, IRGC Ground Forces Commander Brig. Gen. Mohammad Karami echoed the emphasis on cohesion, stating that unity among Iran’s armed forces has already foiled enemy plans. ‘The existing synergy among the armed forces is a valuable asset that must be maintained and strengthened with seriousness,’ Karami said.

The statements from Iranian commanders came amid escalating tensions due to fears in Israel that Iran could carry out a preemptive attack and concerns that Tehran may itself be targeted by a potential US military strike. Israel’s Channel 12 reported that the US has continued to build up its military presence in the region, intensifying pressure on Iran.

The pressure on Iran from the US and Israel has increased since late December, when protests erupted across the country over worsening economic and living conditions. Tehran has accused Washington of using sanctions, political pressure, and unrest to create a pretext for military intervention and regime change.