Iranian Defense Minister Mehrdad Akhlaghi says the country is firmly committed to upgrading the armed forces’ combat capabilities to enable them to respond to any threat “anywhere and without geographical limits.”

In a message on Sunday, Akhlaghi reaffirmed the Defense Ministry’s firm commitment to implementing the strategic directives of Leader of the Islamic Revolution and Commander-in-Chief Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, issued during a meeting with senior commanders of the armed forces on Saturday.

He said the Leader’s directives have set the “roadmap and strategic direction” for Iran’s defense establishment, placing greater responsibility on the ministry to safeguard the country’s security, independence and national strength.

“We are seriously pursuing the enhancement of smart combat readiness and the implementation of a strategy of immediate, effective, and proportionate response to any threat, anywhere and without geographical limitations,” he added.

He emphasized that accelerating the cycle of designing, producing, and supplying defense equipment and weapons, strengthening industrial and technological infrastructure, and enhancing support capabilities for the armed forces are among the ministry’s main priorities.

“Our message to any party threatening Iran’s security and national interests is clear: any aggression will be met with a proportionate, firm and effective response,” Akhlaghi reiterated.

He warned those who are posing threats against Iran that they would not determine the scope, timing, or consequences of the country’s defensive response.

“We have the readiness, will, and capabilities necessary to defend the country’s national security and interests,” Iran’s defense chief added.

He further stressed the need to pursue technological breakthroughs, foster innovation and develop advanced defense capabilities, saying the enemy’s equations and calculations must be confronted with new realities through modern technologies and intelligent solutions.

The defense minister concluded that Iran would continue improving its defense capabilities by relying on domestic expertise, industrial capacity, human resources and national resolve.

“Our message is clear: Iran will not be caught off guard by threats, will not be deterred by pressure, and will not allow the calculations or will of others to constrain its pursuit of scientific and technological path,” he said, pledging to translate the Leader’s directives into plans, action and tangible achievements.

Leader orders Armed Forces to deliver ‘geographically unrestricted response’ to enemy threats

The Leader orders senior military commanders to respond immediately and forcefully to any potential enemy threat, without geographical restrictions.

During his Saturday meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei ordered senior military commanders to ensure that any level or type of enemy threat is met with an “immediate, impactful, and geographically unrestricted response.”

The Commander-in-Chief also underscored the need to “strengthen military intelligence architecture,” deepen indigenous defense capabilities in both “doctrine” and “tactics,” and “enhance modernized defense and security capacities through the utilization of emerging technologies.”