Tehran: Iran has completed a major technical upgrade of its ballistic missile arsenal and formally shifted its military doctrine from defensive to offensive, Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi announced on Wednesday. The statement comes amid heightened regional tensions following recent US and Israeli strikes and an expanded US military presence in the Middle East.

Speaking during a visit to an underground missile facility operated by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), General Mousavi said Iran had enhanced its ballistic missiles 'in all technical dimensions,' significantly strengthening the country's deterrent capability. He linked the strategic shift to the June 2025 conflict, describing it as a '12-day war' during which US and Israeli forces targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.

'We have changed our military doctrine from defensive to offensive by adopting the policy of asymmetric warfare and a crushing response to the enemies,' Mousavi stated, warning that Iran would respond forcefully to any future aggression.

The announcement follows a substantial US military buildup in the region, including the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group and additional air defense systems. US President Donald Trump has publicly threatened further military action against Tehran, prompting sharp warnings from Iranian officials that any US attack would trigger immediate retaliation, potentially endangering American forces across the region.

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has cautioned that escalating tensions between the US and Iran could destabilize the entire Middle East. Speaking to RT, Lavrov described the region as a 'minefield' where a single escalation could trigger a chain reaction. He said Moscow, a close partner of Tehran, is ready to play a constructive diplomatic role and reiterated Russia's offer to remove enriched uranium from Iran to help ease nuclear tensions.

Despite the hardline rhetoric, diplomatic engagement has not been ruled out. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian indicated on Tuesday that Tehran remains open to talks with Washington, provided negotiations are 'free of threats and unreasonable expectations.'

Iranian and US diplomats are scheduled to meet in Oman on Friday to discuss Iran's nuclear program, marking the first high-level contact between the two sides since April.