Iran's recently formed Defense Council signaled on Tuesday that it might initiate operations before absorbing a strike if it perceives a distinct danger, raising the specter of preemptive measures as tensions with the United States and Israel intensify, the anti-regime outlet Iran International reported.
A declaration aired by state media indicated that the council could interpret interventionist statements and allegations against Tehran as acts of war if they escalate beyond simple words, according to the report.
Iran International noted that the body defined the country's security and territorial sovereignty as a red line – insisting that continued hostility would force a response – and assigned all blame for subsequent fallout to the aggressors.
The outlet reported that the statement framed legitimate defense as a flexible concept, asserting that the Islamic Republic is not bound to wait for an attack to materialize. Instead, the assessment of security risks will include concrete signs of looming threats.
"Any infringement on national interests, interference in internal affairs or action against Iran's stability will be met with a proportionate, targeted and decisive response... An escalation in threatening language and interventionist conduct that goes beyond verbal posturing may be interpreted as hostile behavior."
The Defense Council was established on the orders of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in the aftermath of the 12-day war in June, the report added. This alert arrives as demonstrations continue across the nation, with high-ranking officials blaming Washington and Jerusalem for interfering in local affairs, Iran International stated.
The Foreign Ministry argued on Monday that comments made by certain Israeli and US figures amounted to incitement and violations of international standards, according to the publication.
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday from Air Force One that Washington is watching Iranian developments closely, the report noted. He cautioned that a resumption of killings by authorities against demonstrators would trigger a robust US reaction.
According to the rights group HRANA, nine days of national unrest have resulted in at least 29 deaths and more than 1,200 arrests – occurring as strikes and protests endure despite a heavier security footprint – the report concluded.
