Iranian leader warns US and Israel of geographically unrestricted military response

Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Jameneí, instructed the country's armed forces to respond immediately and without geographic limits to any threat from the United States or Israel. The order was issued during a meeting with top military commanders on Saturday, October 31, 2026.

The directive covers potential military or terrorist attacks against Iranian territory and states that Iran will decide how and when any eventual confrontation ends. Jameneí also ordered a review and expansion of the military target inventory to include physical and non-physical assets of the United States and Israel.

“Any level or type of threat must be met with an immediate, impactful, and geographically unrestricted response.”

Senior commanders attending the meeting included Armed Forces Chief of Staff General Ali Abdolahi, Revolutionary Guards Commander Ahmad Vahidi, and Army Commander Amir Hatami. Abdolahi reported on troop deployment and readiness at strategic locations, including the Persian Gulf coasts, the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman, and Iran's northwestern and southeastern borders.

Siasat Daily reported that this was the first publicly disclosed meeting between the supreme leader and top military commanders since the war began. The outlet also said Jameneí has not appeared publicly since being injured in a US-Israeli strike on February 28, the day the war began, and has communicated only through written statements.

Beyond military readiness, the supreme leader emphasized strengthening the spiritual foundations and jihad spirit among personnel and ensuring their livelihood needs were met. He also praised public support and military personnel, though the second source's text ends before completing that section.