Iran's Armed Forces will not wait for an enemy attack to begin before determining the timing and scope of their response, the country's chief of staff has warned, reaffirming Tehran's readiness to confront any renewed US-Israeli aggression with a stronger and more far-reaching military response.

Major General Ali Abdollahi, chief of staff of Iran's Armed Forces, said the military was closely monitoring hostile movements and preparations, using its intelligence capabilities to assess potential threats and continuously update its database of enemy targets.

In a message published on his X account, Abdollahi stressed that Iran would determine its response based on its own strategic assessments rather than allow its adversaries to dictate the timing or terms of a confrontation.

"Once indications of hostile action by the enemy are established, Iran's Armed Forces will not wait for the enemy to initiate an attack before choosing when and how to respond," he said.

"Our response will be immediate, impactful, and without geographical restrictions," the senior commander warned.

The remarks underscored Tehran's determination to strengthen deterrence and ensure that any attempt to attack the country would carry serious consequences for its adversaries.

In a separate message addressed to the Iranian nation, Abdollahi reaffirmed the Armed Forces' commitment to defending the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity against any aggression.

He praised Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei's "wise, prudent, and decisive" directives to senior military commanders, describing them as a guiding framework for the country's military establishment.

Abdollahi said the Armed Forces would remain steadfast in confronting threats, regardless of their scale or nature, and would defend Iran and its people at the cost of their lives.

He added that the military was fully prepared to carry out the commander-in-chief's instructions, confronting American and Zionist adversaries with strength while continuing to expand its operational capabilities.

The commander said Iran would deploy advanced equipment and modern technologies while strengthening its defensive and offensive preparedness.

Warning against any renewed military confrontation, Abdollahi said a future attack would be met with a response more severe and effective than Iran's response during what Tehran calls the "Third Imposed War."

He also stressed that Iran would seek to determine the outcome of any conflict by depriving its adversaries of their ability to continue waging war.

Abdollahi said Iran's Armed Forces were preparing to expand their database of enemy targets and assets across a broader geographical area than previously covered.

He indicated that the military was preparing new battlefield capabilities and operational surprises for its adversaries, signaling that Tehran intends to broaden its options in the event of another confrontation.

The announcement followed directives issued by Ayatollah Hosseini Khamenei during a meeting with senior Armed Forces commanders, in which he emphasized the importance of maintaining intelligent combat readiness to achieve maximum deterrence.

The Leader called on the military to respond immediately and effectively to any threat, without geographical restrictions, and ordered a comprehensive revision of its target database.

According to the directives outlined in the statement, the updated database is intended to encompass the physical and non-physical assets of what Tehran describes as the US-Zionist enemy, bringing a wider range of potential targets within the Armed Forces' operational reach.

The instructions also emphasized strengthening military intelligence, developing indigenous defense technologies and doctrines, and reinforcing operational and security capabilities.

Tehran has repeatedly maintained that its military preparations are intended to deter aggression and protect the country's independence and security. Iranian officials have warned that any renewed attack would trigger a response determined by Iran's own strategic calculations.

Abdollahi's latest remarks reinforce that position, signaling that Iran intends to combine expanded intelligence capabilities, updated targeting plans and advanced military technologies to strengthen its ability to respond to potential threats.

His warning that Iran would not necessarily wait for an attack to begin before deciding how to respond also highlights Tehran's emphasis on early threat assessment and strategic initiative.

The statements did not specify a timeline for any military action or identify a particular imminent attack. They nevertheless conveyed a clear message to Washington and Tel Aviv: Iran says it is prepared to confront renewed aggression with a broader, faster and more forceful response, while retaining control over the timing and scope of its military decisions. (ILKHA)