Iran Orders Forces to Maintain Combat Readiness Amid Possible US Attack
Iranian military forces have been ordered to maintain the highest level of combat readiness amid the prospect of a fresh attack by the United States (US).
The order was issued by Iran’s army commander, Brigadier General Ali Jahanshahi, Anadolu Agency and Middle East Monitor reported on Saturday (24 October 2026.
Jahanshahi also warned his troops that negligence during wartime could have serious consequences.
“In wartime, any negligence or carelessness can have grave consequences,” Jahanshahi said, according to Iran’s Tasnim news agency on Friday (23 October).
He stressed that maintaining effective operational readiness required continuous training, an accurate assessment of military capabilities, coordination between units, and the swift identification and correction of shortcomings.
Jahanshahi also instructed commanders at every level to strengthen combat capabilities through careful planning, continuous supervision and effective follow-up.
The readiness order comes amid rising military tensions between Iran and the US, following months of ongoing disputes over security and maritime navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway for global oil and gas supplies.
Recently, US President Donald Trump discussed the possibility of a new military operation against Iran if the country was unwilling to reach a negotiated settlement. Diplomatic efforts led by Pakistan and Qatar as mediators have reached an impasse.
Trump hints at a new US military operation against Iran
Speaking at a midterm election campaign event for the Republican Party in Florida on Friday (23 October), Trump suggested that the US might launch a new military operation against Iran if Tehran did not agree to resolve the conflict through negotiations.
“We might do another little ‘Epic Fury’, or they’ll agree [to negotiate],” Trump said, referring to ‘Operation Epic Fury’, the US military operation against Iran launched in late February.
“If they’re smart, they’ll just say, ‘Let’s get serious about this’,” the US president said of Iran, adding that he doubted Tehran would take that step.
US could attack Iran as soon as this weekend, ambassador says
Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Türkiye and also the US special envoy for Syria, said Washington could launch another strike against Tehran as soon as this weekend.
“Is a weekend strike possible? Absolutely,” Barrack said in an interview with podcast host Mario Nawfal on Friday (23 October), local time. Barrack has no direct role in Iran-related affairs.