Hatem began his service with the rank of second artillery lieutenant in the army and in 1955, after obtaining the rank of second colonel
During his service, he was appointed to positions such as: Artillery Commander of the 1st Guard Division, Commander of the Isfahan Artillery Training Center, Commander of the Shiraz Corps, and Deputy Commander of the Army Headquarters in 1978.
Houshang Hatem, the deputy commander-in-chief, called on the army to issue a neutral statement at the last meeting of the headquarters, stating the issue of the Shah's departure and his non-return, and Ayatollah Khomeini announcing the republic and Bakhtiar's intention to change the system of government to a republic[2][3]
Hossein Fardoust introduces Houshang Hatem, the author of the Army Neutrality Statement.[4]
Houshang Nahavandi, the former president of the University of Tehran, claims that Hatem, as the sponsor and successor of the General Staff of the Army, wanted to deal severely with the opposition, which was not approved by the Shah.[5]
After the victory of the Revolution of 1979, General Hatem worked with Mohammad-Vali Gharani as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the National Army. He retired after a while and retired on March 22, 1979[6][7][8] He was transferred to Qasr Prison. He was initially sentenced to three years in prison, and was later sentenced to death by a lower court artillery officer from the 1st Division Artillery. He was executed in 1980.