Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered the country’s armed forces to respond to any renewed US or Israeli military or “terrorist” attack with an “immediate, impactful and geographically unrestricted” response, according to a statement from his office issued on Saturday.

The order was delivered during Khamenei’s first publicly disclosed meeting with Iran’s top three military commanders since the war that began on 28 February 2026: Armed Forces Chief of Staff Gen. Ali Abdollahi, Army Commander Maj. Gen. Amir Hatami and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Commander Maj. Gen. Ahmad Vahidi.

“If the enemies once again launch military or terrorist attacks, it is the armed forces of the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation that will determine the time and conditions for ending them,” the statement quoted Khamenei as saying. He directed commanders to ensure “any level or type of threat” faces an immediate and effective reply without geographic limits in order to achieve “maximum deterrence.”

Khamenei also ordered an update of Iran’s “target bank” so that “all types of tangible and intangible assets belonging to the American-Zionist enemy” fall within reach of Iranian forces. Commanders briefed him on readiness along the Persian Gulf coast, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman and border regions, reporting a several-fold increase in production of ammunition and combat systems.

Khamenei, who has not appeared publicly since being wounded in the opening strikes that killed his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued the written directives amid reports that the United States is weighing further options after the 3 November midterm elections. Iranian Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akraminia separately warned that any new US action would expand the conflict’s geographic scope.

Diplomatic contacts, including Qatari mediation and examination of a letter from US Vice President JD Vance, continued in parallel, though Tehran has not indicated any change in its military posture. The statement underscores Iran’s shift toward a doctrine of unrestricted retaliation while regional tensions remain elevated.