Officials indicate they are reconsidering doctrine of seeking to contain confrontations with Washington
Najmeh Bozorgmehr in Tehran and Charles Clover in London
Iranian officials are threatening to escalate any conflict with the US in the wake of an American attack, indicating they will reconsider the Islamic republic’s doctrine of limiting retaliation to contain confrontations with Washington.
Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, said this week that while Iran’s strategy “used to be preventing escalation”, “US behaviour has made us change our approach”.
“Should they make a mistake this time, we will inflict heavy casualties, as our armed forces are determined to stand against the bullying power to the end,” he said.
A regime insider in Tehran told the FT that Iran had recalibrated its military doctrine towards the US, shifting to a strategy designed to impose tangible costs on American forces and assets if conflict erupts.
