Iran Shifts to Offensive Military Doctrine Amid US Tensions

The Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces has officially shifted its military doctrine from a defensive to an offensive posture. Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia announced the transition on August 22, 2026, stating the change resulted from lessons learned during recent 12-day and 40-day wars. This new strategy emphasizes immediate responses to aggression on a broader scale than the initial attack and views preemptive operations as legitimate under international law.

To support this shift, Iran merged the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters with the General Staff of the Armed Forces to accelerate decision-making. The military also established a bounty system offering 5 billion tomans (approximately $26,000) for killing or capturing US troops during a ground incursion, with rewards doubling to 10 billion tomans for women. Additionally, Iran now requires vessels to receive approval and undergo surveillance before passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

These developments follow a cycle of conflict that began with US and Israeli strikes on February 28 and a ceasefire in April. While a June 18 memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran attempted to establish a diplomatic process, renewed US airstrikes and a port blockade disrupted the peace. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has threatened historic financial penalties to collapse the Iranian government.

By August 26, Brigadier General Alireza Elhami reported that air defense units are at 100-percent readiness. He stated that Iran is replicating successful domestic systems and rebuilding infrastructure damaged during the conflict to deter future US attacks.