Arabic version: إيران تلوّح برد واسع فيما تستضيف قطر محادثات

According to Al Jazeera, Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei instructed senior military commanders to maintain maximum deterrence and prepare for an immediate, effective response without geographical restriction if Iran is attacked again. His office said he issued important strategic directives during a meeting with commanders.

The warning came as senior Qatari diplomats held extensive talks in Tehran on Friday, with further discussions expected on Saturday, in an effort to prevent a new breakout of war between Iran and the United States. Iranian authorities have said they are ready to respond forcefully as reports indicate the United States and Israel may be preparing new strikes.

Iranian media said Tehran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within several days, in exchange for returning to the June memorandum of understanding, remains the basis for mediated negotiations. Tehran is seeking the lifting of a US maritime blockade on Iranian ports, waivers on oil sanctions and a truce for regional conflicts, including in Lebanon. Local media confirmed Iran received a letter from US Vice President JD Vance, but did not say whether Tehran had responded through mediators.

Tensions also continued in the Strait of Hormuz. Local authorities reported that a US drone bombed two fishing boats south of Qeshm island on Saturday, wounding several fishermen. Iranian state television said at least six tankers were damaged by explosions in recent days, while the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported an attack in which explosives were attached to a tanker’s hull northeast of Oman’s Khasab.

UKMTO recorded 155 inbound and 122 outbound transits through the strait in the week ending October 28, 70 percent below pre-war levels. Iranian officials hardened their language toward Washington and its allies, while an Iranian newspaper urged a positive response to negotiations, saying war should not be accepted as Iran’s inescapable fate.