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Iranian army says military doctrine shifting toward 'offensive posture'

Zolfaghar and Qadr missiles alongside a metal model of a mini submarine are displayed at Azadi Square as the mutual attacks between Iran and the US, sparked by the parallel routes established in the Strait of Hormuz, intensify day by day in Tehran, Iran on July 24, 2026. (AA Photo)
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Zolfaghar and Qadr missiles alongside a metal model of a mini submarine are displayed at Azadi Square as the mutual attacks between Iran and the US, sparked by the parallel routes established in the Strait of Hormuz, intensify day by day in Tehran, Iran on July 24, 2026. (AA Photo)
August 22, 2026 09:39 AM GMT+03:00

The Iranian army said Saturday that its military doctrine is shifting from a “defensive to an offensive” posture, citing lessons from the country’s recent wars.

Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akraminia, spokesman for the Iranian army, told state news agency IRNA that the shift had gradually taken place during what he described as the 12-day and 40-day wars.

“Our country’s military doctrine was defensive in the past, but gradually during these two wars, we witnessed the military doctrine moving from a defensive posture toward an offensive one,” Akraminia said.

He said the shift was reflected in faster and broader responses to attacks, as well as preemptive operations.

A banner depicting U.S. President Donald Trump and bearing messages was displayed in front of the Zolfaghar and Zolghadr ballistic missiles exhibited at Azadi Square in Tehran, Iran's capital, on August 2, 2026. (AA Photo)
A banner depicting U.S. President Donald Trump and bearing messages was displayed in front of the Zolfaghar and Zolghadr ballistic missiles exhibited at Azadi Square in Tehran, Iran's capital, on August 2, 2026. (AA Photo)

Army offers rewards in case of US ground incursion

Akraminia said the army had devised a plan offering rewards for killing or capturing U.S. troops in the event of a ground incursion into Iranian territory.

Under the plan, members of the armed forces or civilians legally possessing hunting weapons would receive 5 billion tomans, about $26,000, for killing or capturing U.S. troops entering Iran, he said.

The reward would be doubled to 10 billion tomans, about $53,000, if the action were carried out by a woman, Akraminia added.

He said the army would also purchase the weapon used for twice its value, preserve it in a military museum under the owner’s name and provide the individual with a similar replacement weapon.

Iran points to regional defense mechanism

Akraminia also claimed that U.S. influence in the region had declined sharply.

He pointed to what he described as a defense and security mechanism established by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan independently of Washington.

Akraminia said that regardless of its future effectiveness, the mechanism demonstrated what he called the decline of the U.S. position in the region.

He described it as the first regional defense and security mechanism without U.S. participation.

August 22, 2026 09:39 AM GMT+03:00
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