The key facts

  • Mojtaba Khamenei said that if attacks resume, Iran itself will determine the time and terms of the end of the conflict
  • The Supreme Leader ordered commanders to respond to threats 'without geographic limitations' and to update the list of targets
  • Tensions have persisted since February 28, despite the memorandum between Washington and Tehran in June

Statement after a meeting with the military

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said on Saturday that if 'enemy attacks' resume, it will be Tehran itself that determines the 'time and terms' of the end of the conflict. 'If the enemies once again carry out military or terrorist attacks, the time and terms of their end will be determined by the armed forces of the Islamic Republic and the Iranian people,' his statement, distributed by the state broadcaster IRIB, said. The statement came after Khamenei's meeting with the top military leadership, reports the Anadolu agency.

Directives to commanders

According to Khamenei, senior commanders have been instructed to prepare an 'immediate and effective response without geographic limitations' to any potential threat from the adversary. He also ordered the list of targets to be updated so that all American and Israeli assets are 'within reach' of the armed forces. Earlier the same day, Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said that a new war would 'cover a far wider territory' if US President Donald Trump 'undertakes a new adventure in the region' together with Israel.

Context of the tensions

Tensions in the Middle East have persisted since February 28, when the United States and Israel struck Iran, prompting retaliatory actions by Tehran in the region. Despite subsequent diplomatic efforts and a memorandum signed by Washington and Tehran in June, disagreements remain over security issues and the passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The publication does not report any new military actions or any reaction from the US and Israel to the Iranian leader's statement.