Tehran [Iran], April 2 (ANI): Iran's Army Chief Major General Amir Hatami, on Thursday, issued a stern warning to adversaries of the Islamic Republic, stating that any potential ground offensive against the country would be met with decisive and lethal force, as reported by Iran's semi-official state media, Fars News Agency.

According to Fars News Agency, Hatami asserted that 'not a single' life will be spared if ground invasion is undertaken by the enemy, particularly referring to the possible ground invasion by the US and Israeli forces as the conflict escalates in the region, underscoring Tehran's readiness to escalate its military response if required.

'If the enemy undertakes a ground operation, not a single one should escape with their life,' he said, as quoted by Fars News Agency.

The Iranian Army chief asserted that the country's armed forces are fully prepared across both offensive and defensive domains to counter any form of aggression and emphasised the need for constant surveillance of adversary movements, calling for 'utmost suspicion and precision' in monitoring developments and executing counter-strategies at the appropriate time.

General Hatami further reiterated that Iran's broader military strategy is aimed at ensuring national security while deterring external threats, adding that Iran would continue its efforts until its strategic objectives are achieved.

'The army is prepared in both offensive and defensive domains to counter any aggression from the enemy, and it is necessary to monitor the movements and actions of the enemies with utmost suspicion and precision, moment by moment, and to execute plans to counter the enemy's assault methods at the appropriate time,' he said, as quoted by Fars News Agency.

'The strategy of Islamic Iran is clear: the shadow of war must be lifted from our country, and security must exist for all; it cannot be that some places are secure while our people are not in security. We will not let go of our enemies until we achieve the outlined objectives,' he added.

The remarks come amid heightened tensions in West Asia, with fears growing over the possibility of a wider conflict, including the risk of a ground offensive amid ongoing military exchanges in the region from the two fronts, with Iran being on one side and the US-Israeli coalition on the other.

Earlier on Monday, the White House said the deployment of additional US troops in West Asia provides President Donald Trump with 'maximum optionality' in the ongoing conflict in the region, despite ongoing negotiations with Tehran to end the conflict.

Addressing a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, when asked about the deployment of additional US Troops in the region, said that they are part of efforts to maintain strategic flexibility as the war rages on in the region, with diplomatic channels working in the background to strike a deal to end it.

'The president is focused on achieving the objectives of Operation Epic Fury with respect to forces that are on the ground in the Middle East. It's the job of the Pentagon to create maximum optionality for the commander-in-chief,' Leavitt said.

The Press Secretary further stated that while the US President has been asked about potential ground operations, he has declined to rule them out.

'The president has been asked about boots on the ground or alleged ground operations various times. He's obviously declined to rule them out. It's the Pentagon's job to provide maximum optionality to the president; it does not mean he's made a decision, nor would he ever notify the media of such a decision so as not to tip off our enemy,' she added.

This comes after reports that the Pentagon is preparing plans for the possibility of extended ground operations in Iran for several weeks, as per The Washington Post.

According to The Post, citing US officials familiar with the development, the preparations are aimed at supporting a more sustained military phase if Trump decides to intensify the conflict.

The official noted that any ground operation under consideration would likely stop short of a full-scale invasion. Instead, it could involve targeted raids carried out by a combination of Special Operations forces and conventional infantry units, The Post reported.

Meanwhile, the United States Ship (USS) Tripoli, along with around 3,500 Marines and soldiers, entered the US CENTCOM area of responsibility, bringing one of America's largest amphibious assault ships (AAS) into an active combat theatre in West Asia amid the ongoing conflict. (ANI)