Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a directive to the country's military command on October 30, 2026, ordering armed forces to prepare for a potential resumption of armed conflict with the United States and Israel. The address was directed at the leadership of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the regular army, and the General Staff of the Armed Forces. In his decree, Khamenei emphasized that Tehran must "respond immediately and effectively to threats of any type, regardless of geographical location," and instructed the command to update the list of potential targets so that all types of US and Israel assets fall within the range of Iranian armed forces.
Expansion of Target List and Arsenal Modernization
A key element of the directive was the instruction to expand the list of potential targets for strikes and enhance Iran's retaliatory capabilities. Khamenei called readiness for large-scale confrontation with adversaries one of the key conditions for strategic deterrence and specifically urged the command to integrate new technologies into the military infrastructure. In essence, this marks a transition from a defensive doctrine to a model where Iran lays the groundwork for simultaneously striking multiple targets on adversary territory and in their rear areas, including, logically speaking, facilities located outside the Middle East region.
Context: US and Israel Strike Plan
Khamenei's directive came amid reports that the American and Israeli sides are preparing a large-scale military operation. According to Axios, citing American and Israeli officials, Washington and Jerusalem have developed a strike plan against Iran that could be launched after the US midterm congressional elections scheduled for November 3, 2026. The operation, according to current estimates, could last about a week. The Wall Street Journal, in turn, reported that the Pentagon and the State Department warned several Persian Gulf countries about the likelihood of a renewed short-term war with Iran, indicating an attempt to preemptively coordinate regional reaction and ensure logistical support from allies.
Qatari Diplomatic Mission in Tehran
Amid mounting military tensions, Doha is undertaking active mediation efforts. According to Axios diplomatic sources, Qatari mediators held talks in Tehran on October 30 lasting more than 12 hours. The goal of the mission is to negotiate the resumption of direct talks between the US and Iran to prevent the outbreak of a new military operation. Qatar, which traditionally acts as a communication channel between Tehran and Washington, is trying to use the remaining time before the supposed strike window for de-escalation. However, the mission's success depends on the willingness of both parties to return to the negotiating table, and at the time of publication, no agreement had been reported.
Strategic Logic of the Iranian Leadership
Khamenei's rhetoric, combining harsh military directives with an emphasis on "deterrence," reflects the classical Iranian doctrine whereby demonstrating readiness for a retaliatory strike is the primary tool for preventing an attack. The expansion of the target list and the mention of "new technologies" may indicate that Tehran is considering the use not only of ballistic missiles and drones, but also more advanced strike means, including hypersonic systems or submarines. For the Persian Gulf region, where a significant portion of global oil logistics is concentrated, such escalation poses a direct threat to shipping and energy markets, which likely explains the urgency of the Qatari talks and Washington's warnings to regional allies.
