Army Chief: 12-Day War Provided Lessons Equivalent to 12 Years
TEHRAN – Iran’s Army Commander Major General Amir Hatami said on Monday that the recent 12-day war taught the armed forces the equivalent of “12 years of lessons,” highlighting the complexity of modern hybrid warfare involving advanced technology, media, intelligence, and political tactics.
Speaking during a joint session with members of the Iranian Parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, Hatami said that while Iran emerged victorious, the experience underscored the need for evolving strategies to counter future threats more effectively.
“We faced a fully hybrid war in which the enemy integrated modern technologies with political, media, security, and intelligence tools,” Hatami said at Army headquarters in Tehran. “We have now adopted new approaches to confront any threats, leading to more effective deterrence and punitive responses.”
Hatami emphasized the role of Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei’s guidance, the Armed Forces, and the people’s resistance in defeating the enemy’s objectives, which he said were aimed at damaging the Islamic Republic’s independence and territorial integrity.
Referring to ongoing global conflicts, the army chief warned of a rising global trend where “peace through power” is a facade for military dominance, stating that diplomacy is increasingly sidelined.
“Today’s dominant logic in the world, especially among oppressive powers, is the logic of force,” he said, citing Israeli military genocide in Gaza and aggression in Syria and Lebanon as examples.
Ebrahim Azizi, head of the parliamentary commission, called on all institutions of the Islamic Republic to prioritize “power generation based on deterrence” and pledged the parliament’s full support in legislation, budgeting, and defense planning.
The session concluded with a formal recognition of the Army’s role in the 12-day war. A plaque of appreciation was presented to Hatami, honoring the sacrifices made by Iranian troops in defending national sovereignty.