The spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces, Brig. Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi, said that Iran’s naval, ground, and missile capabilities are “ready to confront any scenario imposed by the enemy,” stressing that a large portion of these capabilities “has not yet been used,” in a direct warning to Israel amid rising regional tensions following last June’s war.
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Shekarchi warned that the response would be “decisive” if a confrontation were imposed on Iran, while emphasizing that any offensive move by Tehran would be “aimed at punishing the aggressor,” not at starting a new war.
Speaking to Daneshjoo news agency, affiliated with the Student Basij, Shekarchi said Iran “has never been the initiator of war,” but would “stand firmly against any aggression,” noting that Iran’s defense doctrine is based on deterrence and constant preparedness.
He referred to the 12-day war between Iran and Israel last June, describing it as a “comprehensive, complex war” in which adversaries mobilized “all their capabilities in hopes of delivering a decisive blow,” but “failed to achieve their objectives.” He added that Iran’s capabilities “were not depleted” during that confrontation and that what remains unused “constitutes a core part of the deterrence equation,” stressing that pressure and threats “will not change Iran’s course, but will strengthen its cohesion.”
On June 13, Israel launched a wide-ranging attack on strategic facilities inside Iran, killing dozens of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders, officials, and scientists linked to the nuclear program, igniting a 12-day war between the two sides. The United States later joined the confrontation by striking three Iranian nuclear sites.
In an implicit reference to Western and Israeli reports about Iranian efforts to rebuild and enhance its missile capabilities, Shekarchi said Tehran “did not stop working even at the height of tension,” noting that the 12-day war “saw capability enhancement and tangible results.” He added that Iran’s “Fattah” missile succeeded in penetrating defensive systems “costing millions of dollars,” highlighting the effectiveness of Iranian missile capabilities against advanced air-defense systems.
Shekarchi also focused on what he described as the “soft war,” calling it “the most dangerous battlefield” because “the real losses occur there.” He said part of the confrontation had shifted toward media and psychological warfare aimed at undermining public morale, noting that adversaries relied on media and psychological tools to weaken internal cohesion. He added that “the resilience of the home front” and coordination between the media, the armed forces, and society “foiled this bet and reversed the equation.”
On internal security, Shekarchi revealed the dismantling of a large spy network linked to the “enemy,” stating that around 2,000 individuals were arrested from months before the outbreak of the war until its end. He said the network “was built over years,” with “huge sums spent on training and organization,” adding that prior preparedness by relevant agencies helped thwart its activities and that “rebuilding such networks is not easy.”
Shekarchi’s remarks come amid growing U.S. and Israeli warnings about Tehran resuming efforts to rebuild its missile and nuclear capabilities following the June war, amid mounting fears that miscalculation could lead to an unintended new confrontation.
In this context, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel is “aware” that Iran has recently been conducting “drills,” adding that Iran’s nuclear activities would be discussed with U.S. President Donald Trump during an anticipated visit later this month. Netanyahu provided no further details but warned that any Iranian move would be met with a “very harsh” response.
Netanyahu’s remarks reflect increasing concern in Tel Aviv that Iran’s recent missile-related activities may not be routine exercises, but part of broader efforts to restore a ballistic arsenal damaged during the recent war.
In Washington, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Iran “has not fully absorbed the message” following the U.S. strike on the Fordow nuclear facility during the war, pointing to reports of attempts to rebuild the site and reinforce its fortifications. He added that President Donald Trump has repeatedly stressed that Iran “will not enrich uranium and will not possess a nuclear weapon.”
Similarly, Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, during a visit to Israel, voiced support for striking Iran, warning that rebuilding ballistic missile capabilities now poses a threat no less serious than the nuclear program, and calling for these capabilities to be targeted in any potential strike.
Iran, for its part, reiterated that its missile program is “purely defensive” and outside any negotiation track. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Iran’s military capabilities were developed for deterrence purposes, warning of a response to any attack targeting the country.
Domestically, Iran has seen conflicting narratives regarding potential missile drills, after media outlets close to the Revolutionary Guard spoke of tests in several provinces, before state television denied the conduct of any missile maneuvers or tests.
Israeli and U.S. officials have warned that such conflicting information, combined with heightened military rhetoric, could increase the risk of sliding into a broader regional confrontation, particularly in the absence of clear communication channels capable of managing escalation.
Nevertheless, a U.S. official outlined Washington’s current approach toward Iran, saying the Trump administration views Tehran’s behavior as “destabilizing,” but is relying at this stage on diplomatic and economic tools rather than military ones.
The official, quoted by The Jerusalem Post citing Walla, said the United States has reactivated its “maximum pressure” strategy aimed at ending the Iranian nuclear threat, curbing the ballistic missile program, and preventing Tehran from supporting what Washington describes as “terrorist organizations.”
He added that this approach focuses on tightening the noose around Iran through sanctions, international isolation, and diplomatic pressure, rather than opening a new military front that could lead to widespread regional escalation, noting that the U.S. administration prefers to manage the Iranian threat gradually while keeping all options on the table, without rushing to use force. (Agencies)
