Iran Warns of Wide‑Ranging Response to Any Military Provocation
Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani, the Supreme Leader’s representative on Iran’s Defense Council, said the country’s overriding priority is full readiness to counter threats, stressing that all other considerations are secondary under current conditions.
In an interview with Al Mayadeen TV, Shamkhani pointed to recent U.S. and allied military deployments in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, warning that any move signaling aggressive intent would be met with a measured yet forceful response designed to impose clear costs on the aggressor.
“Our message is unambiguous,” Shamkhani said, noting that Iran does not view the theater of confrontation as limited to maritime zones alone. He emphasized that Tehran is prepared for scenarios involving a much broader geographic scope, including direct responses targeting the heart of the Zionist regime if necessary.
Shamkhani also cautioned that any conflict in the region would inevitably spill beyond its original boundaries, underscoring that past wars in West Asia have consistently escalated beyond the control of those who initiated them. “Any spark in this geography can quickly turn into a fire with uncontrollable consequences,” he warned.
Addressing the growing presence of foreign naval forces near Iran’s southern waters, Shamkhani dismissed claims of military superiority, stating that Iran’s deep familiarity with the region’s geography and defense dynamics gives it a decisive advantage. He added that Tehran has identified the adversary’s operational plans and is prepared to strike their critical pressure points when required.
Concluding his remarks, Shamkhani stressed that Iran retains a range of more decisive options to safeguard its national security and territorial integrity, warning that any attempt to intimidate the Iranian people through military posturing would ultimately backfire, with full responsibility resting on those who choose escalation.
