In a high-level meeting with top military commanders, Ayatollah Khamenei calls for maximum deterrence, an expanded target bank covering enemy material and non-material assets, and an unrestricted response to any new aggression.

TEHRAN -- Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei told senior military commanders on Saturday that any level or type of enemy threat must be met with an "immediate, impactful and geographically unrestricted response".

At a meeting with the commanders, the Leader described "intelligent combat readiness for a powerful confrontation with enemies" as a requirement of "maximum deterrence".

"If the enemies start military or terrorist attacks again, it is the armed forces of the Islamic Republic and the Iranian nation that will determine the time and conditions of its end," Ayatollah Khamenei said.

The commander-in-chief also stressed strengthening the architecture of military intelligence, deepening indigenous defense in both "doctrine" and "tactics," growing up-to-date defense and security capabilities using modern technologies, and strengthening spiritual foundations and jihadi morale, alongside unceasing efforts to meet livelihood needs and support the armed forces.

In another part of his directives, Ayatollah Khamenei ordered that the target bank be updated so that all types of material and non-material assets of the American-Zionist enemy fall within the range of the armed forces.

Ayatollah Khamenei described public support for Iran's armed forces as a key pillar of deterrence against foreign adversaries and their domestic collaborators.

He praised the Iranian nation's eight-month mobilization in public squares and streets, referring to the nightly gatherings held across the country since the martyrdom of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

He said the sustained demonstrations of support for the leadership and armed forces have extended the spirit of Iran's eight-year Sacred Defense during the 1980-1988 Iraqi war of the Islamic Republic.

He said the people's continued presence in public spaces, alongside the steadfastness of the military, law enforcement and Basij forces, has helped safeguard Iran's territorial integrity and the Islamic Republic, adding that this national solidarity will continue to serve as a source of protection against external threats.

He described national support for the armed forces as a pillar of deterrence against Iran-hating foreigners and their domestic mercenaries.

Ayatollah Khamenei expressed appreciation for the "intelligent steadfastness" of the resistance front in various countries and described the unity of arenas as a determining variable with strategic impact in shaping the new political and security order in West Asia.

The Leader expressed hope that this new order will provide the ground for increasing unity of Islamic nations and governments to form a new Islamic civilization.

Major General Abdollahi, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces; Major General Hatami, Commander-in-Chief of the Army; and Major General Vahidi, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, were in attendance.

They presented reports on the readiness of the country's defenders on the coasts of the Persian Gulf, the operational areas of the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman, and the northwestern and southeastern borders, as well as on the multiple production of various types of identification, support and combat weapons and ammunition.

Ayatollah Khamenei expressed satisfaction with the activities carried out and asked the senior military commanders to convey his gratitude and satisfaction to all military, law enforcement, Basij forces and employees of these organizations and the Ministry of Defense and their respected families.

In a separate message, the Leader praised the role of local residents and volunteer fighters in repelling Iraqi forces from Abadan Island in the early weeks of the 1980-1988 Iraqi war under former dictator Saddam Hussein on Iran.

The Leader said popular vigilance, religious faith and sacrifice, alongside the efforts of the regular army and Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), were decisive in defeating the invading forces.

In the message issued to mark the anniversary of Operation Zolfaghari, Ayatollah Khamenei described the operation as the first Iranian victory in the eight-year war and said its lessons remain relevant to the country's confrontation with foreign aggression today.

The operation took place on November 1, 1980, 40 days after Iraq launched its invasion of Iran on September 22. Ayatollah Khamenei said the episode has received insufficient attention despite its historical significance.

"The Ba’athist enemy, like today's enemy, used the familiar methods of aggression, occupation and siege," he said, adding that the effective response was public vigilance and the steadfast resistance of volunteers alongside the army and the IRGC.

The Leader recalled how an ordinary Iranian worker alerted residents to the Iraqi forces' plans, prompting local volunteers and mosque communities to mobilize with limited resources under the guidance of the late Ayatollah Gholamhussein Jami, then Abadan's Friday prayer leader.

Ayatollah Khamenei described their mobilization as an expression of religious faith and determination that helped frustrate the invading forces.

He said Saddam had wrongly assumed that political slogans and territorial claims could undermine the historical and religious bonds between the Iranian and Iraqi peoples.

Those ties, Ayatollah Khamenei said, are rooted in shared religious beliefs and affection for the family of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon Him), adding that Iraqis and Iranians had a fraternal relationship despite the policies of the Ba’athist government.

Less than a year later, Iran achieved another major military milestone when its forces broke the Iraqi siege of Abadan in September 1981 under an order from the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini.

That operation, known as Thamin al-A'immah, was distinct from Operation Zolfaghari and marked the successful lifting of the siege after nearly a year of fighting.

Ayatollah Khamenei drew a direct parallel between the resistance of Abadan's residents in 1980 and Iran's present confrontation with the United States and Israel.

He said the same qualities that helped Iran withstand the Iraqi invasion — public vigilance, religious faith, determination, sacrifice and national solidarity — will help the country overcome aggression by the Great Satan.

"Today, too, it is the same vigilance and faith, the same motivation and determination, the same sacrifice and selflessness, and the same courage and steadfastness that will help the oppressed yet powerful Iranian nation," he said.

He added that these qualities, with divine assistance and the support of the Hidden Imam, will help Iran achieve victory in what he called the third imposed war.

Ayatollah Khamenei concluded his message with a Qur’anic verse: "Victory comes only from God, the Almighty, the All-Wise."