Khamenei Orders Updated Target Bank Against U.S. and Israel, His Office Says

Mojtaba Khamenei ordered Iranian commanders to update their military target database against Israel and the United States, his office announced Saturday. The statement attributed to him instructions to prepare an immediate response to threats without geographic limits, making Israeli and American assets the explicit focus of the directive. According to the office, Khamenei told the commanders to expand targeting across physical and nonphysical assets. “Any level or type of threat must be met with an immediate, impactful, and geographically unrestricted response,” the statement quoted him as saying. It also said he insisted that Iran would determine the timing and terms for ending any renewed attacks. The office identified armed-forces chief of staff Ali Abdollahi, army commander Amir Hatami and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Ahmad Vahidi among those attending. It said their readiness reports covered the Persian Gulf coast, Strait of Hormuz, Sea of Oman and Iran’s northwestern and southeastern borders. The commanders also reported increased weapons and munitions production, according to the statement. These were Iranian claims about their own military preparedness, rather than independently established capabilities. The announcement also described instructions to improve military intelligence, defense doctrine, tactics, equipment and personnel support. In an earlier statement on October 27, Khamenei’s office said he had discussed security with security-council secretary Mohsen Rezaei, including control over Hormuz and relations with neighboring countries. Saturday’s announcement did not specify when or where the commanders’ meeting took place or announce an operational timetable.