Iran has warned that any fresh military attack by the United States would trigger a significantly different response, including the deployment of new weapons and attacks against previously untouched targets.
A spokesperson for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued the warning on Monday, 21 September, according to Al Arabiya. The statement comes as tensions between Tehran and Washington remain high despite a recent reduction in the intensity of direct fighting.
The IRGC spokesperson said that if the United States launches another attack, Iran’s approach to both defence and retaliation will undergo “significant changes”. He indicated that the Iranian military would introduce new capabilities and weapons to the battlefield in response to any further US action.
“New weapons with new capabilities will be brought to the battlefield, which will surprise the world,” the spokesperson said.
He also suggested that Iran would not necessarily repeat the targeting pattern used during previous rounds of hostilities. According to the statement, there are other potential targets that have not yet been attacked and could be considered in the event of another US strike.
The warning was accompanied by a declaration that the IRGC is prepared for a prolonged conflict. The statement did not provide specific details about the weapons or targets being referred to, nor did it explain how Iran might alter its military strategy if fighting resumes.
Iranian state television separately reported that the country’s military central command had said the United States was planning a new military operation against Tehran. No further details were given about the alleged plan, including its timing, scale or possible targets.
The latest statements come against the backdrop of a sharp escalation in US-Iran tensions late last month. Although the intensity of fighting has eased somewhat in recent days, the broader confrontation remains unresolved. The situation around the Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a particularly sensitive point.
Iran has continued to carry out sporadic attacks against commercial shipping in the strategic waterway, according to the report. Washington and Tehran have also maintained reciprocal blockades around the Strait of Hormuz as part of efforts to exert pressure on each other.
The waterway is a crucial route for international shipping and energy supplies, making any sustained disruption there a matter of wider regional and international concern. Any further escalation involving commercial vessels could increase pressure on shipping operators and raise concerns over the security of maritime trade.
The IRGC’s latest warning therefore signals that Tehran is preparing for the possibility that the current confrontation could intensify again. At the same time, the absence of detailed information about the alleged US military plans means the immediate direction of the conflict remains uncertain.
For now, both sides appear to be maintaining military pressure while signalling that they are prepared for further escalation. Any renewed direct confrontation could also have consequences beyond the two countries, particularly for maritime security and commercial shipping around the Strait of Hormuz.
