Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered the country’s military to prepare an immediate, impactful, and geographically unrestricted response to any threats from the United States or Israel, according to a statement released on Saturday, October 31.
In a meeting with senior military commanders, including armed forces chief of staff Ali Abdollahi, army chief Amir Hatami, and Revolutionary Guards commander Ahmad Vahidi, Khamenei directed the armed forces to update their target lists to include all tangible and intangible assets belonging to the US and Israel. He also instructed military leaders to increase ammunition and weapons production, strengthen intelligence capabilities, and develop indigenous defense systems.
Khamenei stated that Iran would determine the timing and conditions for ending any new conflict, warning that any renewed military or terrorist attacks would trigger a fresh confrontation. His remarks came amid escalating tensions in the region, including threats from US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to resume strikes following legislative elections in both countries.
Key Developments:
- Khamenei’s directive follows warnings from Trump and Netanyahu about potential military action after the US midterm elections and Israel’s recent vote.
- The order includes expanding Iran’s target range beyond military sites to include US and Israeli assets globally, as well as increasing domestic military production.
- The supreme leader emphasized immediate retaliation without geographical limits, framing Iran’s response as a matter of national sovereignty.
Background and Context:
The latest orders come eight months after a joint US-Israeli bombing campaign killed Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, leading to his son Mojtaba Khamenei’s ascension. Since then, Iran has conducted missile, drone, and maritime strikes against Gulf states hosting US military bases and critical shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz.
Khamenei’s statement also referenced the "Resistance Front", an Islamist militant network operating in regions including Jammu and Kashmir, describing its "unity of fronts" as a strategic factor in shaping a new political and security order in West Asia. His remarks were posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account and reported by Iran’s semi-official news agencies, including IRNA and Tasnim.
Military Preparations:
In addition to updating target lists, Khamenei ordered improvements to military intelligence, tactics, and modern technologies, signaling a shift toward self-sufficiency in defense production. The directives follow reports that US Gulf allies were warned of a potential new assault on Iran as early as November 4, immediately after the US midterm elections.
Regional Reactions:
The orders have raised concerns among Gulf states, which have previously been targeted by Iranian strikes and have urged the US to avoid restarting conflict. Analysts note that Iran’s expanded target list and emphasis on unrestricted retaliation suggest a broader willingness to widen the scope of any future confrontation beyond regional borders.
International Implications:
The escalation coincides with diplomatic efforts to broker a solution between Washington and Tehran. Observers highlight the risk of miscalculation given the high stakes involved, particularly as both the US and Israel weigh military options following recent elections.