The Iranian Armed Forces have declared their full readiness to repel any new US or Israeli attack, pledging a stronger, broader and more precise response amid mounting mutual military warnings over the possibility of renewed direct confrontation.
Iranian Armed Forces spokesman Brigadier General Abu al-Fadl Shakarchi said in a televised interview on Saturday, 26 September, that Iranian forces were stronger than they had been before previous rounds of fighting and had completed what he described as the requirements needed to confront any potential attack. Shakarchi added that any miscalculation by the United States or error in its strategic assessments would draw a response different from previous strikes. He said Iranian strikes would in that case be “stronger, broader, more widespread and more precise”, in his words.
Developing missiles and drones
The military spokesman said Iran had continued developing its arsenal after previous confrontations, noting that Iranian missiles and drones had become more advanced and powerful. He added that the Armed Forces had prepared what he described as “surprises” for its adversaries and would respond to any new attack using military technologies it had not previously used.
Shakarchi explained that strengthening Iran’s military capabilities was linked to a shift towards asymmetric warfare and greater reliance on domestic defence industries. He said efforts to develop combat capabilities and use new technologies had begun during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, citing the launch of Iran’s missile programme during that period.
Shift in Iran’s military doctrine
According to Shakarchi, the asymmetric warfare strategy relies on confronting heavy and costly weapons with less expensive equipment that is effective and practical to use. He said this shift was among the most significant changes to Iran’s military doctrine since 1979. During the interview, Shakarchi also addressed the Strait of Hormuz, saying Iran would not allow the United States to play a role in managing the maritime passage.
He added that Iranian forces controlled the strait, warning ships against attempting to pass through routes not authorised by the Iranian authorities. Shakarchi’s remarks came days after Iranian Revolutionary Guard spokesman Hossein Mohabbi warned that any new US escalation would lead to a change in the type of Iranian weapons, tactics and targets.
Revolutionary Guard warnings of escalation
Mohabbi said on 21 September that Tehran would use weapons with new capabilities and might target sites that had not previously been attacked, affirming the Revolutionary Guard’s readiness for a long-term confrontation. Iran’s central military command had said on 19 September that it had received information indicating that the United States was preparing to resume its strikes on Iran.
It warned that any new attack would be met with ongoing strikes on US bases and interests in the Middle East, and threatened to regard countries that allowed their territory or facilities to be used to support those operations as participants in them.
By contrast, US President Donald Trump said on 20 September that he was still deciding how to deal with Iran, with the options under consideration including further military action, imposing additional economic pressure or reaching an agreement.
