Leader’s advisor warns of ‘deep’ retaliatory strikes into occupied territories

Ali Shamkhani, former secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, stressed in an interview with al-Mayadeen, which the Lebanese network published on Friday, that the Islamic Republic maintained full oversight of enemy operational plans and was prepared for broader, advanced scenarios beyond maritime domains.

Iran’s “absolute priority” is maintaining full preparedness to deter any threat, the advisor said, issuing a firm warning that “any action that reflects hostile intent by the enemy will be met with a proportionate, effective, and deterrent response.”

The official cautioned that the scope of Iran’s confrontation was not limited geographically to maritime domains and that preparations had been made for wider and more advanced scenarios.

Shamkhani reminded that conflicts in the West Asia region had rarely remained contained, stressing that “any spark can rapidly turn into a comprehensive blaze beyond the control of its original planners.”

He highlighted that expansion of war to multiple territories should be a shared concern for all parties.

Addressing the increased presence of foreign military forces in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman, Shamkhani said such deployments did not necessarily indicate superiority. “This region is Iran’s home,” he said, asserting that the Islamic Republic had a deeper understanding of its geography, capabilities, and defensive foundations than any external force, and had shaped its military doctrine accordingly.

The advisor also said the Islamic Republic had uncovered the enemy’s operational plan and maintained full oversight of it. He warned that if necessary, it would target critical chokepoints at a time of its choosing. “If necessary, the Islamic Republic will resort to more fundamental and effective options to defend its national security and territorial integrity,” he said, adding that responsibility for any consequences would lie with those who assume they could break the will of the Iranian people through military force.

Earlier, Shamkhani had noted that any US military action against the Islamic Republic, regardless of scale or pretext, would constitute the start of war and be met with an immediate response, dismissing the notion of a “limited strike.”

His remarks came amid heightened tensions following an earlier attempt, fueled by the United States and the Israeli regime, to launch fresh aggression against Iran under the pretext of the Islamic Republic’s “confronting” economic protesters.

That effort saw Washington- and Tel Aviv-backed riotous elements’ attempt to divert protests towards violent unrest, a plan swiftly countered by Iranian intelligence and security forces, who apprehended ringleaders and seized weapon caches.

Meanwhile, the US has resorted to a significant regional military buildup amid repeated threats from President Donald Trump of targeting the Islamic Republic.

Iranian officials have repeatedly underscored that, while they remained focused on addressing domestic economic challenges, they would respond decisively to any threats against the country’s sovereignty and territory.