Key insights
- Heightened tensions between the US and Iran, with Iran's army chief ordering preparedness for potential attacks, raise geopolitical risks. While Trump suggests the conflict is nearing completion, a US troop buildup in the Gulf suggests otherwise. This uncertainty could negatively impact US equities due to increased oil price volatility and broader market risk aversion.
DUBAI, April 2 (Reuters) - 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.