Tehran: Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has instructed the country’s armed forces to deliver an immediate and effective response to any potential attack, with no geographical restrictions, according to a statement issued on Saturday.
The directive was given during a meeting with senior military commanders and was also published on Khamenei’s official Telegram account.
The order comes amid heightened tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel, raising concerns over a possible resumption of hostilities.
The warning follows reports of maritime incidents in the Strait of Hormuz. On Friday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said four oil tankers had caught fire after allegedly using unauthorised routes.
Separately, a crude tanker was reportedly struck by an unidentified projectile while leaving the waterway. These claims have not all been independently verified.
The strategic strait, a key route for global oil supplies, has faced repeated disruptions during the conflict.
The current crisis intensified on February 28, when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iranian military and nuclear-related infrastructure. Iran retaliated with attacks on Israel and US-linked positions in the region.
Iran’s then-Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the initial strikes, and his son Mojtaba succeeded him.
A June agreement briefly opened the door to negotiations and efforts to restore shipping through the strait, but the arrangement later broke down.
Recent remarks by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and signals from Washington about possible further military action have added to tensions. Qatar and other regional mediators are seeking to revive negotiations.
