The social media account of Iran's Supreme Leader, Mujtaba Khamenei, reposted his first statement since taking office on the 18th, reiterating that Iran will consider opening new fronts in areas where its adversaries are unskilled.
The statement said that research on opening additional fronts has already been completed, noting that "the enemy has minimal experience and is extremely vulnerable in these domains."
It stated that if a "state of war" persists, Iran will proceed to open these new fronts.
This statement represents a renewed emphasis on his first official position declaration after assuming leadership, with the core aim of sending a clear signal to the U.S. and Israel: Iran will not yield under military intimidation, and it will never compromise on its core interests.
The phrase "domains where the enemy has minimal experience and is extremely vulnerable" primarily refers to "hybrid warfare" and "asymmetric warfare" strategies. Iran is actively developing capabilities such as drone swarm attacks, cyber intrusions and digital sabotage, disinformation campaigns, and infrastructure disruption—including power grids, financial systems, and government databases. It is highly likely to leverage its extensive network of proxies across the Middle East (such as Yemen’s Houthi forces) to launch attacks from multiple directions, disrupting enemy strategic deployments. Additionally, it may conduct low-intensity, high-frequency strikes through regional proxies, or employ an "AI-powered strategy" to achieve cost-effective force multiplication, aiming for maximum impact with minimal expenditure.
At present, the risk of large-scale direct military conflict appears to have decreased. On the same day, Trump announced he would delay the previously scheduled major military strike set for the 19th, following requests from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. This information, while temporarily easing the tense standoff, still leaves the risk of war taut—any misjudgment could quickly lead to accidental escalation and trigger new military actions.
According to the Supreme Leader’s statement, low-intensity conflicts such as cyber warfare and proxy confrontations may become the norm going forward. Any miscalculation by either side could instantly break the deadlock and ignite a larger regional war. Measures like blocking the Strait of Hormuz—a double-edged sword—could cause international oil prices to surge and severely impact the U.S. economy, but they also increase the likelihood of massive international pressure being exerted against Iran.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1865574092195916/
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