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Iran’s Khamenei Orders Military to Answer Any New Attack Without Geographic Limits

Iran's supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, told senior commanders on Saturday that any new attack must be met with an immediate and effective response without geographic limits, as reports pointed to possible renewed United States strikes after the November 3 midterm elections.

By admin Oct. 31, 2026 · 7:45 PM ET 2 min read

A large oil tanker sailing through a narrow stretch of water between rocky shores at dusk.

Iran’s supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has ordered the country’s armed forces to answer any new attack with an “immediate and effective response, without geographical limitations,” according to a statement from his office published on his website on Saturday.

A tall communications tower above a city at dusk, with lit buildings below and mountains behind it.
A tall communications tower above a city at dusk, with lit buildings below and mountains behind it.

He gave the order at a meeting with senior commanders, including Armed Forces Chief of Staff Ali Abdollahi, Army chief Amir Hatami and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Ahmad Vahidi, the statement said. The commanders briefed him on the state of readiness of the armed forces, according to the Indo-Asian News Service. The Times of Israel described the meeting as the first reported meeting between Khamenei and these officers since he became supreme leader.

Khamenei also ordered the country’s target list to be revised so that American and Israeli assets, described in the statement as tangible and intangible, fall within reach of Iranian forces. He called combat readiness a requirement for what his office termed “maximum deterrence.” He said that if the enemies resume military or terrorist attacks against Iran, the Iranian armed forces and people will decide the time and conditions for ending the fighting.

Deterrence and the diplomatic backdrop

The order came as the Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that the United States had told several Gulf countries to prepare for a brief but intense military campaign against Iran after the midterm elections, according to the Indo-Asian News Service. The United States and Israel launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities on Feb. 28, and Iran answered with waves of missile and drone attacks aimed at Israel and United States bases and assets in the region, the news service reported.

Naval ships seen as small silhouettes on a hazy sea under a gray sky.
Naval ships seen as small silhouettes on a hazy sea under a gray sky.

The Times of Israel also noted one report that suggested a resumption of attacks could come as soon as Nov. 4, the day after the United States midterm elections. The Times of Israel did not name the source of that report. No Israeli or American official response to Khamenei’s statement appeared in the reports.

The stone facade of a large government building with columns, above a wide paved plaza.
The stone facade of a large government building with columns, above a wide paved plaza.

Reporting based on coverage by the Indo-Asian News Service, the Times of Israel and Axios.

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