Iran International
Tehran appears to be placing growing emphasis on its ballistic missile program amid continued domestic unrest and the looming possibility of US intervention in support of protesters in Iran.
That assessment was underscored on Tuesday by a statement from Iran’s Defense Council, formed after the June war with Israel, which warned that the country could respond before an attack if it detected clear signs of a threat.
In remarks carried by state media, the council said Iran did not consider itself restricted to responding only after an action had taken place and would treat “tangible signs of a threat” as part of its security calculus.
The warning came amid an escalating war of words between Tehran and Washington, with President Donald Trump recently cautioning that the United States would act if Iranian security forces continued killing protesters.
Signaling deterrence
Against that backdrop, Iranian officials have sought to project readiness while downplaying the likelihood of immediate war.
“We will not launch a pre-emptive strike unless our military commanders deem it necessary,” Abolfazl Zohrevand, a member of parliament’s national security committee, said on Tuesday—suggesting that while escalation is not inevitable, the option of striking first remains firmly on the table.
Since late December, reports from international outlets such as Euronews, alongside eyewitness accounts shared online, have pointed to sightings of missile trails over several cities, including Tehran, Mashhad and Kermanshah.
Iranian authorities have not commented publicly on the reports, but they have reinforced the sense that missiles have become the most visible pillar of Iran’s deterrence posture.
The moderate outlet Khabar Online wrote on Monday that the reported missile activity suggested “a shift in Iran’s strategy against Israel,” arguing that Tehran was now prioritizing the restoration of its missile capabilities while keeping its nuclear program in the background.
Gearing for conflict?
Other state-aligned media have been more explicit.
In a January 6 commentary, the Asia News website argued that recent missile and air-defense drills were intended to test and showcase Iran’s capabilities, improve coordination among the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, the regular army and air-defense units, and send a deterrent signal to Israel and the United States.
It added that nighttime operations were designed to enhance combat readiness under low-visibility conditions.
Given that Asia News is primarily an economic outlet with no military specialization, analysts say such commentary may reflect messaging prepared by military sources rather than independent assessment.
Analysts also caution that the quieter nuclear posture may reflect financial constraints and a desire to avoid drawing US attention at a moment of intense scrutiny of Iran’s nuclear facilities, rather than a fundamental change in long-term strategy.
As Khabar Online itself noted with thinly veiled irony, “this shift in Iran’s strategy is likely to pave the way for more complex security competition rather than reducing tensions.”
In a statement carried by state media, the council said allegations and interventionist remarks directed at Iran could be treated as hostile acts if they went beyond rhetoric.
It said Iran’s security, independence and territorial integrity constituted a red line that cannot be crossed, and warned that continued hostile behavior would prompt a response, with full responsibility for the consequences resting with those behind it.
The statement said that, within the framework of legitimate defense, Iran did not consider itself restricted to responding only after an action had taken place and would treat tangible signs of a threat as part of its security assessment.
“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 formed following the 12-day war in June on the order of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The warning comes as protests have continued across Iran in recent days, with senior officials accusing Washington and Israel of interference in the country’s internal affairs.
On Monday, Iran’s foreign ministry said statements by some US and Israeli officials amounted to interference and incitement to violence under international norms.
US President Donald Trump said on Sunday night aboard Air Force One that the United States was monitoring developments in Iran closely and warned that if Iranian authorities resumed killing protesters, the country would face a strong response from Washington.
At least 29 people have been killed and more than 1,200 arrested in nine days of nationwide protests in Iran, according to rights group HRANA, as demonstrations and strikes continue despite a heavier security presence.
