Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran
Tehran, Nov 1: Iran has warned that any fresh threat against the country would invite an immediate and more forceful response, with no geographical restrictions on its potential targets, as tensions with the United States and Israel continue amid uncertainty over the possibility of renewed military action.
Ebrahim Azizi, chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, issued the warning in a post on X on Saturday, October 31. He said the country would respond to any threat with an "immediate and even harsher response", adding that there would be "zero limits" and an open range of potential targets.
"The decree of Iran's wise and resolute Supreme Leader is absolute and non-negotiable," Azizi wrote. He also asserted that Tehran, rather than its adversaries, would decide when the ongoing war would end.
Azizi's statement came a day after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei reportedly met senior military commanders and issued fresh instructions on the country's military response in the event of another attack.
According to Iranian state media reports, Khamenei told military leaders that any threat, regardless of its nature or intensity, must receive an immediate and effective response without geographical limitations. He also directed the military to update its list of potential targets to include all types of assets belonging to what Tehran describes as the United States-Israel alliance.
The reported meeting involved senior military officials, including Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Ali Abdollahi, Army Chief Amir Hatami and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Ahmad Vahidi. It was reportedly the first known meeting between Khamenei and senior military commanders since he assumed leadership following the killing of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in US-Israeli strikes on February 28.
Iranian military officials have also referred to the country's readiness along the Persian Gulf coast, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman. The latest statements indicate that Tehran is seeking to maintain military pressure while warning against any further attacks on its territory.
The developments come amid continuing uncertainty over Washington's next move. US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by telephone on Saturday as the US administration considered its options regarding Iran, according to reports cited by international media.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump had not yet taken a decision on launching fresh military strikes. Speaking on the sidelines of the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta, Rubio said Washington remained open to a diplomatic solution, while adding that the United States could achieve its military objectives if it chose to act.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are continuing through regional intermediaries. Iranian negotiators held discussions with Qatari mediators in Doha on Saturday, following earlier consultations in Tehran. Qatar and Pakistan have been involved in efforts to facilitate communication between Tehran and Washington and prevent a further escalation.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has indicated that Tehran is not prepared for direct negotiations with the United States at present. He has also outlined conditions concerning sanctions, the presence of US forces in the region and the release of frozen Iranian funds.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a major concern in the standoff. The strategic waterway connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and is one of the world's most important routes for international oil shipments. Restrictions on shipping through the strait have already raised concerns over energy supplies, global trade and fuel prices.
Turkey and other regional countries have called for a resolution of the US-Iran dispute and the reopening of the waterway, warning that prolonged disruption could intensify economic pressure internationally.
While Iran's latest statements signal a hardening of its public position, diplomatic contacts are continuing. The possibility of renewed military action remains uncertain, with Washington yet to announce a decision on further strikes.