Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued orders to the armed forces to respond immediately “without any geographical restrictions to any threat from the enemy,” according to a statement published on his official account on the Telegram application, on Saturday.
The Iranian official news agency (IRNA) stated that Khamenei met with senior commanders of the armed forces, and stressed that “conscious combat readiness to confront enemies with strength and power is one of the requirements for achieving the maximum degree of deterrence, and he directed that every level of threat, whatever its type, be confronted with an immediate and effective response, and without any geographical restrictions.”
Khamenei said that Iran would determine the time and conditions for ending any new military or “terrorist” attacks resumed by enemies, and ordered that the list of military targets be updated “in a way that allows various types of tangible and intangible assets” of the United States and Israel to be placed within the crosshairs of the armed forces.
He also stressed strengthening the structure of military intelligence, deepening independent national defense in the fields of “doctrine” and “tactics,” and developing defense and security capabilities to keep pace with developments, by taking advantage of modern technologies, as well as strengthening “morale structure and jihadist spirit,” in parallel with the continuous work to secure the living needs of the armed forces and provide them with the necessary support.
This comes at a time when the Iranian army warned, on Saturday, that any new American attack would only lead to expanding the scope of the war, following threats from the United States and Israel to launch additional military operations, coinciding with the holding of decisive elections in both countries.
The Iranian army spokesman, Mohammad Akraminia, said in a post on the
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi also warned on Saturday, saying that "Iran's powerful armed forces will deal firmly with anyone who dares to harm our people."
The Iranian warning came at a time when new diplomatic efforts are being made to avoid renewed fighting. An official told Reuters that Iranian negotiators are visiting Doha to continue talks with Qatari mediators, following a tour that lasted more than 12 hours in Tehran yesterday.
On Friday, a Qatari delegation arrived in the Iranian capital to hold talks with high-ranking Iranian officials. It was also reported that US Vice President, J.D. Vance, sent a letter to Iranian security official, Mohsen Rezaei.
Qatar and Pakistan are mediating between the warring parties, but these talks have not yet resulted in a permanent agreement.
The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that J.D. Vance sent a letter to the Iranian security official at the direction of President Donald Trump, in an effort to revive negotiations and avoid launching further US strikes.
Iran confirmed receiving the letter, but did not announce any response to it.
In the same context, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty said on Saturday that he was “extremely concerned” that any new escalation in the war between the United States and Iran would lead to more destruction and have serious repercussions.
This came during his speech at the Security Dialogue Summit organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in Manama, Bahrain.
He said, "The next round will be more dangerous and more destructive, and will not lead to any results. We must draw lessons from the past."
On Tuesday, the United States will witness elections that may determine the course of the war, which has become opposed among American voters, especially after the rise in energy prices as a result of the conflict.
Last Tuesday, Israel also held legislative elections, in which voters had the opportunity to express their opinion of right-wing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
On the other hand, the Iranian Radio and Television Corporation, citing an official in Hormozgan Province, reported on Saturday that the United States attacked two fishing boats near Qeshm Island.
Iranian media quoted local officials as saying that the attack injured one fisherman.
There has been no US confirmation of the attack yet.
