'Maximum deterrence': Mojtaba Khamenei meets top generals, issues warning to US

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has instructed the country's armed forces to deliver an immediate and forceful response to any renewed US or Israeli attack, warning that Tehran would decide when and under what conditions hostilities would end.

In a meeting with the country's top three military commanders, Khamenei called for maximum combat readiness and said any threat must be met with an effective response, without geographical limitations, according to a statement from his office reported by Axios and Iranian state media outlet Tehran Times. "If the enemies once again launch military or terrorist attacks, it will be the Islamic Republic of Iran's Armed Forces and the Iranian nation that determine when and under what conditions those hostilities will end," Khamenei said.

The meeting marked the first publicly disclosed gathering between Khamenei and all three senior military commanders since the war began, Axios reported. The development comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran, even as diplomatic efforts continue to prevent a fresh outbreak of hostilities.

Khamenei also directed the military leadership to update its target database to bring all physical and non-physical assets belonging to what Tehran describes as the "US-Zionist enemy" within the reach of Iranian forces. He called for strengthening military intelligence, expanding indigenous defence capabilities and incorporating emerging technologies into the country's security infrastructure.

The commanders, including Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Ali Abdollahi, Army Commander Major General Amir Hatami and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps chief Major General Ahmad Vahidi, briefed Khamenei on military preparedness along the Persian Gulf coastline, the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman and Iran's northwestern and southeastern borders. They also reported a several-fold increase in the production of ammunition, reconnaissance equipment and support and combat weapons, according to Tehran Times.

The warning was reinforced by Iran's top security official Mohsen Rezaei, who threatened "devastating blows" against any aggressor, saying Tehran would use "new weaponry" if attacked. In a post on X, Rezaei said diplomacy remained possible if Washington fulfilled Iran's seven conditions for negotiations. The demands include lifting US sanctions, reducing American military presence in the region, releasing frozen Iranian assets, restoring oil waivers and recognising a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz agreed upon by Iran and Oman. Tehran has also demanded an end to hostilities across the region, including Israeli attacks on Lebanon.

The latest warnings come as Washington and Tehran exchange proposals through Qatari mediators. US Vice-President JD Vance reportedly sent a framework for negotiations to Iran, with Tehran describing Washington's attempt to open dialogue as a positive step. However, US President Donald Trump has continued to warn that Washington could strike Iran's remaining nuclear facilities. While saying discussions were going well, he also described Tehran as "not very reliable".