Overview
- Iran’s Defense Council declared it may strike first if it detects signs of an imminent threat, calling security, independence and territorial integrity an inviolable red line.
- The statement emphasized that Tehran does not consider itself limited to responding after an attack and will incorporate objective threat indicators into its security equation.
- Iranian state reports described IRGC drills with missile launches and air-defense tests in cities including Tehran and Shiraz.
- Israeli officials previously told U.S. counterparts that the IRGC exercises could be preparations for an attack, according to reporting cited by Israeli media.
- Large protests over inflation and living costs continued as unconfirmed claims surfaced about major Russian cargo shipments to Iran, which drew no official responses.