Mojtaba Khamenei Issues New Directives to Iran’s Armed Forces to Confront Enemies

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei returned to the center of Iran’s security apparatus this weekend, issuing new operational directives to the country’s military leadership as state media reported on Sunday, May 10, that Major General Ali Abdollahi met with him to deliver a report on the readiness of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

“Creator: free, fresh, fair Azat TV Make preferable Quick Read TEHRAN (Azat TV) – Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has returned to the center of Iran’s security apparatus, issuing new operational directives to the country’s military leadership this weekend”

Azat TV

Azat TV said the move came after weeks of intense speculation about the Supreme Leader’s health and whereabouts, noting that since his appointment as Supreme Leader in March 2026, following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he had not been seen or heard in public.

Azat TV

In the meeting, Abdollahi briefed on assessments of the Army, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and Basij volunteer forces, and Azat TV said the Supreme Leader provided specific guidance for the continuation of ongoing military operations.

IRNA English reported that Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei issued new directives to the Iranian Armed Forces during a meeting with Abdollahi on Sunday, aimed at strengthening combat readiness and dealing with “aggressive enemies.”

IRNA English quoted Abdollahi emphasizing that any strategic error, aggression, or military mischief by enemies would be dealt with “swiftly, intensely, and powerfully by the warriors of Islam.”

Alongside the directives, The Sunday Guardian said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a strong warning that any attack on Iranian vessels or commercial shipping linked to the country would trigger “heavy” retaliation.

The Sunday Guardian also quoted military leadership language that “The armed forces are ready to confront any action by the American-Zionist (Israeli) enemies,” adding that “In case of any error by the enemy, Iran's response will be swift, severe, and decisive.”

Fars News Agency

Hum News English, citing Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency, said Abdollahi briefed the Supreme Leader on operational preparedness and that Khamenei reportedly provided “new guiding measures” aimed at continuing military operations and strengthening Iran’s response posture.

Hum News English quoted Abdollahi saying, “The armed forces are ready to confront any action by the American-Zionist enemies,” and added that “In case of any error by the enemy, Iran’s response will be swift, severe, and decisive.”

The Sunday Guardian framed the backdrop as rising tensions and repeated maritime incidents in the Strait of Hormuz, while also noting that reports of ships being struck in the Gulf deepened global concerns over regional stability and energy security.

Azat TV said Iranian officials attempted to dismiss concerns about Mojtaba Khamenei’s health by referencing a “scratch behind the ear,” while noting that the lack of visual proof kept speculation high.

“Iran’s top military leadership held a high-level meeting with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, during which new strategic directives were issued regarding ongoing military operations and regional security challenges, according to Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency”

Hum News English

In the same account, Azat TV described the meeting with Abdollahi as following a separate reported meeting with President Masoud Pezeshkian, portraying the guidance as part of an effort to consolidate the image of a leader actively overseeing defense strategy.

The Arabic-language report Alaraby Aljadeed said the meeting was the first time such a meeting with the Iranian Leader had been announced since Mojtaba Khamenei was chosen as the successor to his late father Ali Khamenei in March.

Alaraby Aljadeed also quoted cleric Mozaher Hasheini describing the February 28 shelling on the war’s first day, saying the site was completely destroyed and that the blast wave struck Mojtaba Khamenei on the way, causing him to fall to the ground.

Alaraby Aljadeed further stated that Hasheini said the Supreme Leader “is in full health,” and that he “suffered a small gash behind his ear that does not show when wearing the turban.”