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Iran’s Parliament Speaker, Mohammad-Baqer Qalibaf, acknowledged that the recent 12-day war with Israel exposed vulnerabilities in Iran’s defense capabilities. He vowed to rectify these shortcomings as a top priority.
“Restraint will end in any future war,” Qalibaf stated according to the semi-official Mehr News Agency. “New areas and locations will be designated for retaliation.”
Qalibaf’s admission marks a rare departure from Tehran’s usual narrative of military invulnerability, which it maintained before the conflict despite issuing threats against Israel and the U.S. When Israel launched airstrikes in June, Iran’s defenses did not effectively stop those attacks.
The pledge to reinforce defenses—highlighted in recent shows of force at sea—signals that Iran is recalibrating its posture against Israel. During the June conflict, Tehran managed to inflict damage inside Israel through missile strikes.
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Qalibaf said bolstering Iran’s defense capabilities is an urgent priority. “Should the enemy make a move,” he stated, “the conflict could expand to new regions and economic and political arenas.”
His remarks coincided with large-scale navy drills dubbed “Sustainable Authority,” during which Iranian forces tested cruise missiles in the Gulf of Oman and northern Indian Ocean.
Iran’s defense minister also noted that a new generation of advanced missiles is now prepared for use against Israel if fighting resumes. With a fragile ceasefire in place, both Iran and Israel—and the U.S.—have said they do not rule out renewed military conflict.
Iran had to swiftly replace several high-ranking military officials killed in the strikes, including General Mohammad Bagheri, head of the armed forces, and General Hossein Salami, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). Additionally, Ali Larijani, senior adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was appointed secretary of the Supreme National Security Council. This shift signals a strategic move towards trusted, experienced leadership that could strengthen Iran’s proxies in the region.
Qalibaf further elaborated: “Fortifying the country’s defense is being pursued swiftly and seriously. With valuable experience gained from the 12-day war, many weaknesses have been identified and addressed. By reinforcing existing strengths, our military forces are prepared to respond more powerfully than before to any possible attack on our beloved country.”
A de-escalation could be possible if Iran and Western powers reach an agreement regarding Tehran’s nuclear program.
