Tehran: Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei on Saturday directed the country’s armed forces to prepare for an immediate and forceful response to any fresh attack by its adversaries, warning that retaliation would have no geographical limits. He also ordered the military to update its list of targets to include all United States and Israeli assets, as tensions between Tehran and Washington continued to rise.
In a statement published on his official Telegram account, Khamenei called for an immediate, forceful and “geographically unrestricted response” to any enemy threat. He said Iran would decide when and under what conditions a new conflict would end if its adversaries resumed military or what he described as terrorist attacks.
The statement comes amid fears of a wider confrontation between Iran and the US, with the ongoing conflict involving Israel, intensified fighting in Yemen and the continued dispute over the Strait of Hormuz adding to regional tensions.
Khamenei’s instructions also included increasing the production of weapons and ammunition, strengthening military intelligence and expanding Iran’s domestic defence capabilities.
Khamenei directs military to expand target list
In his latest message, Khamenei instructed the armed forces to revise their target list and bring “all US and Israeli assets, tangible and intangible” within striking range.
The directive signals Tehran’s intention to prepare for a broad response if it faces another military operation. The reference to tangible and intangible assets suggests that the military has been asked to consider a wider range of potential targets rather than limiting its preparations to conventional military installations.
Khamenei also stressed that Iran would determine the timing and terms of ending any new conflict. His statement appeared to reject the idea that Tehran would accept conditions imposed by its adversaries following a possible escalation.
Alongside the warning, the Supreme Leader directed the military to step up the production of ammunition and weapons required for reconnaissance, logistical support and combat operations.
He also called for stronger military intelligence and the development of indigenous defence systems. These measures are aimed at improving Iran’s ability to sustain military operations and respond to threats without depending entirely on external supplies.
The statement did not announce a specific military operation or provide a timeline for any attack. Instead, it outlined the military preparations and response principles that Khamenei wants the armed forces to follow.
Fighting involving Houthis adds to regional tensions
Khamenei’s instructions came as cross-border fighting intensified between the Saudi-led coalition and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement.
The escalation has brought Yemen further into the wider conflict involving Tehran and Washington, opening another potential front in the confrontation.
The Houthis have repeatedly attacked Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region in recent weeks. The area is strategically important because it contains much of the kingdom’s oil and gas reserves and is home to the headquarters of Saudi Aramco.
An earlier attack in October caused extensive damage to the company’s facilities, according to the report.
The attacks have increased concerns about the security of Saudi Arabia’s energy infrastructure and the possibility that the conflict could spread further across the Gulf region.
The involvement of the Houthis also complicates diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis. Any escalation involving Saudi Arabia could widen the conflict beyond the immediate confrontation between Iran, the US and Israel.
The latest developments have therefore increased pressure on regional governments and mediators to prevent further military action.
Strait of Hormuz dispute complicates ceasefire efforts
Diplomatic efforts to restore stability have also been complicated by disagreements over the Strait of Hormuz and the US blockade of Iranian ports.
An interim agreement reached in June failed to secure a lasting ceasefire or restore normal shipping through the strategic waterway.
Iran has since proposed that Washington lift its blockade of Iranian ports in exchange for Tehran reopening the Strait of Hormuz within seven days.
The proposal reflects the importance of the waterway to both regional security and international energy markets. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical route for global oil and gas shipments, and any prolonged disruption can affect energy supplies and shipping costs.
However, the US and Iran remain divided over the sequence of negotiations. Washington has been pressing for nuclear discussions, while Tehran wants relief from the blockade and oil sanctions to be addressed first.
The disagreement has prevented mediators from securing a broader agreement despite repeated diplomatic efforts.
Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt push for diplomatic solution
Qatari mediators returned to Tehran on Friday in another attempt to broker an agreement between the parties.
Qatar has been involved in diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions, but the differences between Washington and Tehran remain significant. The two sides have yet to agree on whether nuclear negotiations or measures to ease economic and maritime restrictions should take priority.
Saudi Arabia has also expressed concern about the possibility of further escalation.
Speaking at a security forum in Bahrain, Saudi Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed ElKhereiji said efforts were underway to prevent the conflict from intensifying and to reach an agreement that could bring the crisis to an end.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty also warned that another round of fighting could be more destructive than the previous confrontation.
“We are very confident that the second round will be more dangerous, more destructive, and it will lead to nowhere,” he said at the same event.
The remarks reflected growing concern among regional governments that a renewed conflict could have consequences extending beyond the countries directly involved.
A wider confrontation could also threaten energy infrastructure, commercial shipping and diplomatic relations across the Middle East.
Mojtaba Khamenei’s absence fuels speculation
Khamenei’s latest statement has also drawn attention because he has not made a public appearance since the war began. The 56-year-old Supreme Leader has continued communicating through written messages, including the latest statement published on Telegram.
His prolonged absence has fuelled speculation about his health and whereabouts.
Mohsen Heydari, a member of Iran’s Assembly of Experts, previously said Khamenei was injured during the initial US strikes on Tehran on February 28, which killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
According to Heydari, Mojtaba Khamenei was taken to a hospital in Tehran after the strikes. The hospital was subsequently hit in another attack, and Khamenei was later pulled from the rubble, he said in an interview with an Arab news publication.
These claims have contributed to questions about the extent of his injuries and his ability to carry out public duties. However, Khamenei has continued issuing statements and directives through official channels.
How Mojtaba Khamenei became Iran’s Supreme Leader
The Assembly of Experts, the Iranian body responsible for selecting the country’s Supreme Leader, appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as his father’s successor on March 8.
The decision followed a secret meeting held under heightened security after the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the February 28 strikes.
Heydari said Mojtaba Khamenei received 50 of the 59 votes cast during the selection process. Eight members voted for Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, while one member abstained.
His appointment placed him at the centre of Iran’s political and military decision-making at a time of intense confrontation with the US and Israel.
Since taking over, his public communication has largely been through written statements rather than public appearances. His latest directive is among the clearest indications of the military posture he wants Iran to maintain amid continuing threats.
Regional crisis faces another critical phase
Khamenei’s warning, the renewed Houthi attacks and the continuing dispute over the Strait of Hormuz have added further uncertainty to efforts to end the conflict.
While Qatar and other regional governments continue diplomatic engagement, disagreements over nuclear negotiations, sanctions and maritime restrictions remain unresolved.
Iran’s latest military instructions indicate that Tehran is preparing for the possibility of renewed attacks while keeping pressure on Washington and Tel Aviv.
At the same time, warnings from Saudi Arabia and Egypt underline concerns that another round of fighting could have wider and more damaging consequences for the region.
Whether diplomatic efforts can prevent further escalation will depend on the willingness of the parties to address their differences over security, sanctions and the future of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.