Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has directed the country’s armed forces to respond immediately to any renewed military or terrorist attack, warning that retaliation would not be limited by geographical boundaries.
The directive, issued during a meeting with senior military commanders and published on Khamenei’s official Telegram account on Saturday, October 31, comes amid rising tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel.
Khamenei reportedly ordered the military leadership to maintain maximum combat readiness and strengthen the country’s ability to respond to potential attacks.
He also directed officials to update Iran’s military target list to include American and Israeli physical and non-physical assets within the reach of Iranian forces.
According to the statement, Khamenei said Iran’s armed forces and people would determine the timing and conditions for ending any confrontation triggered by a fresh attack.
Iran Warns US Against Renewed Military Action
Iran’s military leadership has reinforced the Supreme Leader’s warning, saying another American attack could expand the conflict beyond its current theatre.
Army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said on Saturday that Iranian forces were strengthening their combat readiness amid reports that Washington was considering further military action against Tehran.
In a statement posted on X, Akraminia warned that any decision by US President Donald Trump to resume military operations under pressure from Israel could spread the conflict across a wider region.
“If the US president once again embarks on more regional adventurism under pressure from, and in an attempt to appease, the Zionists, the flames of war will undoubtedly engulf a much wider geographical area,” he said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also warned that the country’s armed forces would respond forcefully to any attempt to harm its population.
“Iran’s Powerful Armed Forces will deal with those who dare harm our people,” Araghchi said.
Qatar, Pakistan Pursue Diplomatic Solution
Despite the renewed military warnings, diplomatic efforts are continuing to prevent a fresh escalation.
A Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran on Friday for discussions with senior Iranian officials as part of efforts to revive negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Qatar and Pakistan have been mediating between both countries, although their efforts have yet to produce a lasting agreement.
The latest diplomatic initiative also follows reports that US Vice President JD Vance sent a letter to Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, seeking to reopen communication between the two countries.
According to The Wall Street Journal, Vance sent the letter at Trump’s direction as part of efforts to revive negotiations and prevent further American strikes.
Iran has confirmed receiving the communication but has not announced a formal response.
The reported initiative comes amid disagreements over Iran’s nuclear programme, US sanctions, frozen Iranian assets and Washington’s naval blockade of Iranian ports.
Strait of Hormuz Remains Major Flashpoint
The confrontation has increasingly centred on the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which a significant share of the world’s energy supplies is transported.
Iran has maintained restrictions on maritime traffic through the strait since the outbreak of the war, disrupting international energy shipments and contributing to concerns over rising energy prices.
The United States has also imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports in an attempt to restrict the country’s oil exports and economic revenues.
The standoff has raised concerns about the safety of commercial shipping and energy infrastructure across the Gulf.
Meanwhile, Iranian media reported on Saturday that an unidentified enemy drone attacked two fishing boats off Qeshm Island, injuring two fishermen. Two others were reportedly rescued.
However, the report did not independently establish who was responsible for the incident.
Saudi Arabia’s civil defence authorities also briefly issued danger alerts for the southwestern Jazan region and Najran Province. No direct connection was established between the alerts and the reported incident off Qeshm Island.
