Iran Prepares Military Options While Continuing Diplomatic Talks

Strategic Directives Issued

Iran's leadership has directed top military commanders to update target lists and expand retaliatory options, according to official state statements reported on Saturday. The directives, attributed to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei in a Telegram announcement, instructed the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the Army, and the General Staff of the Armed Forces to prepare for potential confrontations.

Key elements of the military directives include:

• Immediate and effective responses to threats without geographical limitations.
• Updates to potential target lists encompassing material and immaterial assets of the United States and Israel.
• Enhanced combat readiness and integration of new technologies for deterrence.

The public statements underscore an ongoing state of alert in Tehran amid parallel diplomatic engagements.

Diplomatic Channels and Regional Proposals

Simultaneously, diplomatic discussions involving Iranian officials and regional mediators continued in Qatar. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated in an interview with Al Jazeera that Tehran proposed accelerating the implementation of a prior seven-day proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz down to two days.

According to the Foreign Minister, Iranian conditions for broader agreements involve several economic and security adjustments:

• The lifting of specific sanctions tied to the Islamabad memorandum.
• Reductions in United States military forces stationed in the region.
• The restoration of oil waivers and the release of frozen funds held abroad, including in Qatar.

Araghchi also acknowledged receipt of recent correspondence from United States Vice President JD Vance to Iran's national security chief Mohsen Rezaee, describing the diplomatic outreach as a positive step toward broader dialogue.

Verification and Broader Context

Independent verification of the timing and location of the leadership's military meeting remains limited, as public appearances by the Supreme Leader have not been documented since February. Meanwhile, international media reports indicate that foreign governments are monitoring regional security developments closely, with various diplomatic and defense assessments underway.

Observers seeking to verify official positions can monitor statements released directly by Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and state-run news agencies, alongside official communiques from mediating nations in the region.