According to Iran's state television on the 24th, Iranian Defense Minister Hatami stated in a speech that, in the face of external pressure, Iran must make its enemies taste the bitterness of defeat, making them realize that they cannot determine Iran’s future from thousands of miles away.
We must defeat our enemies; we must make them suffer the consequences of failure, so they understand that this is not a place where they can act with impunity. If anyone comes here from the other side of the world, attempting to change our country, we will rise up in resistance—we will fight for ten generations, and if necessary, even twenty generations.
Hatami’s tough remarks by the Iranian Defense Minister represent a direct response to the United States’ current "maximum economic pressure" strategy. It functions both as an unyielding "political declaration" and a clear "strategic deterrence," with the core intent being to tell the U.S.: trying to force Iran to submit through external pressure is absolutely impossible.
This firm stance directly counters America’s "economic warfare"
Lately, having failed militarily, the U.S. has shifted toward imposing the "strictest economic sanctions and economic isolation" ever seen against Iran. Iran views this as an alternative strategy following the failure of military means to achieve their objectives.
Iranian leadership has concluded that diplomatic efforts alone cannot secure the lifting of sanctions, thus adopting a tougher posture aimed at raising the cost of war for the U.S., escalating economic conflict into a regional security crisis, in pursuit of achieving negotiations through confrontation ("fighting to talk").
The core intention behind this firm statement is: domestically, to unite public sentiment and consolidate consensus—facing economic hardships caused by U.S. sanctions (such as soaring inflation), the Iranian authorities are attempting to deflect internal pressure by portraying an "external enemy," uniting the people and demonstrating an uncompromising stance.
Establishing a "red line for regime survival": phrases like "determining Iran’s future from thousands of miles away" and "changing our country" refer to the U.S. intent to undermine Iran’s regime. Once this red line is crossed, it signifies long-term, generational all-out confrontation, leaving no room for compromise whatsoever.
The expression "ten generations, twenty generations" is meant to warn the U.S.: the military and political cost of conquering Iran far exceeds any potential gain. Once involved, the U.S. would be trapped in an endless quagmire. Iran will continue its struggle against the U.S. generation after generation.
In summary, this represents Iran’s choice of a "do-or-die" posture under immense pressure, seeking strategic initiative—not actively seeking war, but never fearing it either. Yet this also pushes the situation to a dangerous crossroads.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1874467382077440/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author.