Iran Shifts Military Strategy from Defensive to Offensive Doctrine

June 24, Kathmandu — Iran has announced a significant change in its military policy, moving away from its traditional defensive strategy to adopt an ‘offensive doctrine.’ Senior Iranian military commander Ahmad Reza Pourdastan shared this update in an interview with Fars Naval Agency, which was subsequently reported by various international media outlets.

According to Pourdastan, Iran is no longer confined to defensive measures and will be capable of launching preemptive attacks if necessary. “If national interests demand, Iran can strike fronts that our enemies could never even imagine,” he stated. This declaration comes amid ongoing claims that joint U.S. and Israeli operations have weakened Iran’s military capabilities.

He further emphasized that Iran’s substantial military potential remains underutilized and that the country stands ready to ensure Lebanon’s security. Al Jazeera Online reports that during the tenure of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the Iranian military adopted a policy known as ‘strategic patience.’ Experts interpret this as a cautious and calculated restraint policy focused on resistance rather than direct confrontation. However, following escalations with the U.S. and Israel, Iran has embraced a policy of ‘active and unprecedented resistance,’ under which it has launched attacks on Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, and even Israel.

Notably, on February 28, 2023, during a joint U.S.-Israeli operation, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed. Although his son has been named the new Supreme Leader, he has not publicly appeared.