Iran01 November, 20262 min read
Mojtaba Khamenei Orders Expanded Iranian Response to Any U.S. or Israeli Attack
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Khamenei vows immediate, geographically wider Iranian retaliation against renewed US or Israeli attacks. Iran expands deterrence with broader operational theater, stronger capabilities, faster weapons production.
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Khamenei expands deterrence
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned that any renewed U.S. or Israeli attack would trigger an immediate and geographically wider Iranian response, ordering the armed forces to expand their target lists, strengthen intelligence capabilities and accelerate weapons production. Khamenei said Iran would determine the timing and conditions for ending any future conflict if its adversaries resumed military or terrorist attacks, and he ordered an “immediate, impactful and geographically unrestricted response” to any threat.
Khamenei told commanders to update their target database to bring “all U.S. and Israeli assets, tangible and intangible,” within striking range, while also directing strengthening military intelligence and developing domestic defense capabilities. Khamenei ordered increased production of ammunition and weapons for reconnaissance, logistical support and combat operations, and he stressed that maintaining a high level of combat readiness was essential to deterring further aggression.
Commanders brief readiness
Senior military commanders met Khamenei following a meeting with senior military commanders Saturday, and the meeting included Maj. Gen. Abdollahi, chief of the Joint Staff of the Armed Forces; Maj. Gen. Hatami, commander of the Iranian army; and Maj. Gen. Vahidi, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
The commanders briefed Khamenei on military readiness along the Persian Gulf coast, in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, as well as along the country’s northwestern and southeastern borders.
Khamenei expressed satisfaction with the preparations and asked the commanders to convey his appreciation to military personnel, police officers, Basij forces, Defense Ministry employees and their families.
Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akraminia reinforced Tehran’s warnings, writing on X that if the U.S. president launched another military operation against Iran alongside Israel, “the flames of war will undoubtedly engulf a much wider geographical area,” and he added that “the end of the conflict will not be in his (Trump's) hands.”
Tensions and regional stakes
Daily Sabah said the directives came amid continuing tensions following the U.S. and Israeli military campaign against Iran, which began Feb. 28 and killed then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior military commanders.
Iran retaliated with attacks against Israel and U.S. military assets across the Middle East, widening the confrontation and raising concerns about the security of regional shipping and energy supplies, while a memorandum signed in June did not resolve disagreements over regional security arrangements and navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran maintained pressure on maritime traffic as the U.S. sustained its military presence in the region and reported blockade measures affecting Iranian ports, and Daily Sabah said regional diplomatic efforts including mediation involving Qatar had yet to produce a lasting resolution.
Tehran’s broader deterrence framing also emphasized expanded military preparedness and stronger deterrence capabilities, with Tehran’s leadership outlining a strategy for confronting potential threats through “intelligent combat readiness” and an “immediate and effective response to threats without geographical restrictions.”