Iran shifts to offensive doctrine, cites pre-emptive strike as US pressure mounts
Iranian military officials say the country's strategy is moving from defence to offence and may include pre-emptive actions, while President Trump escalates sanctions threats.
Iran’s army announced that its military doctrine is evolving from a purely defensive stance to a more offensive one, potentially involving pre-emptive strikes against perceived threats. Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia explained that experiences from two recent wars prompted the shift and cited a strike on a U.S. base in Jordan as a precedent. He also noted that Iran is using the current lull to repair damaged systems, integrate new equipment, and update training.
The restructuring of command, merging the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters with the Armed Forces General Staff, aims to speed decision-making. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump intensified pressure on Tehran, threatening the toughest sanctions ever and asserting U.S. dominance around the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Armed Forces chief of staff Ali Abdollahi warned of a "crushing, punishing and devastating" retaliation across all domains if the United States escalates further.
Why it matters
The shift toward an offensive Iranian doctrine raises the risk of direct conflict with the United States in a volatile region.
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