Iran Shifts to Offensive Military Doctrine Amid US Sanctions

The Military of Iran announced on August 22, 2026, that it has shifted its military doctrine from a defensive to an offensive posture. Brigadier General Mohammad Akraminia stated the transition occurred gradually during the 12-day and 40-day wars. Under the new strategy, Iran intends to respond to any aggression immediately and on a broader scale than the initial attack, including the use of preemptive operations.

To support this shift, Iran merged the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters with the General Staff of the Armed Forces to increase command unity and decision-making speed. The army also established a bounty system offering 5 billion tomans (approximately $26,000) to personnel or civilians who kill or capture US troops during a ground incursion, with the reward increasing to 10 billion tomans for women.

These developments follow a surge in US pressure. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened the toughest financial penalties in history to collapse the Iranian government, while the United States reimposed a blockade on Iranian ports to reduce oil shipments to China. Iran is currently utilizing a fragile ceasefire to rebuild its military capabilities and has identified the Strait of Hormuz as a primary geopolitical lever. Additionally, Iran has demanded that Qatar clarify the status of three Su-24 pilots involved in a previous attack on a US base in Qatar.