Iran Says It Can Launch Pre‑emptive Attacks if Needed

Iranian military officials have made clear that the nation is ready to initiate combat operations before any hostile move by an opponent. Spokesperson Mohammad Akaraminia emphasized that pre‑emptive action, when justified by necessity, immediacy and proportionality, is considered lawful under Iran’s revised strategy.

The spokesman reminded listeners that Iranian forces have already conducted such operations. He pointed to a missile strike on a U.S. facility in Jordan at the end of July and a series of drone attacks on locations in Iraq’s Kurdistan region that house groups labeled by Tehran as “revolutionary opposition and separatist.”

Akaraminia claimed the Jordan strike seized the initiative, leaving the enemy without the capacity to act. He also noted that Iran’s missile arsenal is being continuously upgraded to increase range—now approaching a thousand kilometres—to counteract foreign troops stationed far from Iran’s coastline.

When asked about the prospect of a U.S. ground invasion, the spokesperson expressed confidence that America would not dare to proceed. He explained that the recent wars with the United States and Israel spurred Iran to enhance missile lethality, speed and precision, ensuring a credible deterrent.

These remarks follow a series of retaliatory actions after a coordinated U.S.–Israeli assault on Tehran on 28 February. Iran answered with missile and drone strikes on American assets throughout the region and tightened control over the Hormuz Strait. Although a cease‑fire was declared on 8 April and a memorandum of understanding signed on 18 June, the 60‑day negotiation window expired on 17 August without a breakthrough, leaving tensions unresolved.