Iran's army chief has issued a warning of possible preemptive military action in response to heightened rhetoric from foreign leaders, particularly following recent comments by the United States president. The statement comes as Iran faces mounting pressure from both Israel and the United States, alongside widespread protests driven by economic hardship and frustration with government policies. In an effort to ease public anger, the government has begun distributing a new monthly subsidy to millions of citizens, though rising prices for essentials continue to strain households. Protests, which began in late December, have persisted for over a week and resulted in dozens of deaths, reflecting deep-seated discontent with the country's leadership and ongoing economic challenges.