Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned the U.S. that Iran's armed forces are free to act as they see fit [1].
The statement signals a readiness to escalate military tension in the region. It serves as a direct deterrent to Washington, suggesting that any resumption of hostilities would meet a wide-scale Iranian counter-operation.
Speaking in Tehran on Saturday, May 23, 2026, Qalibaf addressed the current state of military readiness [1]. He said that the hands of the country's armed forces have always been free to take whatever they deem appropriate [1].
This rhetoric follows a period of friction between the two nations. Qalibaf said that a sweeping response would follow if the U.S. resumes military conflict with Iran [1].
The Speaker's comments emphasize the autonomy of the Iranian military command. By asserting that the forces are "free," he indicates that operational decisions may be made rapidly in response to perceived threats [1].
This warning arrives as a strategic signal to international observers and U.S. policymakers. The emphasis on a "sweeping response" suggests that Iran is not considering limited skirmishes, but is preparing for a broader confrontation if provoked [1].
“The hands of our armed forces, as they have always been, are free to take whatever they deem appropriate.”
This rhetoric reflects a strategy of deterrence intended to prevent U.S. military intervention by promising a high-cost response. By publicly stating that the armed forces have operational freedom, the Iranian leadership is signaling that the threshold for military retaliation may be lower than in previous diplomatic cycles.
