Iran warns it could preemptively strike enemies in response to an imminent threat

6 January 2026, 7:50 pm

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A domestically-built missile "Khaibar-buster," and banners showing portraits of the Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, center, and the late armed forces commanders, who were killed in Israeli strike in June, are displayed in a military exhibition commemorating the anniversary of the start of the 1980-88 Iraq-Iran war, and 12-day war with Israel in June, at Baharestan Square, in Tehran, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi)

Iran’s Defense Council warns the nation could preemptively strike its enemies if it perceived an imminent threat to its security.

In a statement, the council, which was formed to spearhead defensive strategy following the 2025 war with Israel, warns that “Iran’s security, independence and territorial integrity are an uncrossable red line, and any aggression or continuation of hostile behavior will be met with a proportionate, decisive and decisive response.”

It adds: “The long-standing enemies of this land… are pursuing a targeted approach by repeating and intensifying threatening language and interventionist statements in clear conflict with the accepted principles of international law, which is aimed at dismembering our beloved Iran and harming the country’s identity.”

It stresses that Tehran “does not consider itself limited to reacting after the fact, and considers objective signs of threat as part of the security equation.”