Tehran — Iran’s Defense Council has issued a stark warning that the country may carry out preemptive military strikes if it determines that an imminent threat to its national security exists, signaling a more assertive posture amid rising regional tensions, according to the Nation.
In a statement released Wednesday, the council established to coordinate Iran’s defensive strategy following the 2025 war with Israel, said the nation’s “security, independence, and territorial integrity” constitute an inviolable red line. Any act of aggression, it warned, would be met with a response that is “proportionate, firm, and decisive.”
The statement accused Iran’s long-standing adversaries of escalating hostile rhetoric and interventionist posturing, describing such actions as a deliberate strategy that runs counter to international law. According to the council, these moves are aimed at undermining Iran’s sovereignty, fragmenting the country, and eroding its national identity.
Notably, the council emphasized that Tehran would no longer confine itself to retaliatory action after an attack occurs. “Iran does not consider itself limited to reacting after the fact,” the statement said, adding that clear, objective signs of a looming threat would be factored into its security calculations.
The remarks reflect growing unease in Tehran over regional developments and diplomatic signaling from rival states. While Iranian officials did not identify specific actors or timelines, the language suggests a willingness to act swiftly should tensions cross what the government views as a critical threshold.
