Iran’s Supreme Leader Orders Military to Expand Retaliation Options Without Geographic Limits

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba has ordered senior military commanders to prepare for renewed confrontation with the United States and Israel and expand Tehran’s retaliation options. According to Sina Finance, a statement released Saturday said Mojtaba told the commanders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the army, and the armed forces’ general staff that “every level and type of threat must be met immediately and effectively, without geographic limits.” He ordered the military to update its list of potential targets to include “all tangible and intangible assets” of the United States and Israel within the armed forces’ strike range. Mojtaba also said he would maintain “intelligent combat readiness” for a forceful confrontation with the enemy, describing it as a prerequisite for achieving maximum deterrence, and urged the military to use new technology to enhance its capabilities. The statement did not say when or where the meeting took place. As far as is known, this was the first time he had convened the senior military commanders as head of state. He has not appeared publicly since the United States and Israel launched the war in February, and only a few Iranian officials have said they have spoken with him. The remarks underscored Iran’s heightened state of alert and its determination to respond more forcefully. Iran is preparing for possible renewed U.S. and Israeli strikes as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict resume. The United States has warned Gulf countries to prepare for another strike on Iran after the November 3 midterm elections. On Thursday, U.S. Central Command briefed U.S. President Donald Trump on possible military options. Mojtaba said: “If the enemy resumes military or terrorist attacks, the Iranian armed forces and the Iranian people will decide when and under what conditions they end.”