Iran's Supreme Leader has instructed military leaders to respond to attacks without geographical restrictions.

Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has instructed military leaders to respond to potential attacks from the U.S. and Israel without geographical restrictions. This directive aims for maximum deterrence. Khamenei has been largely absent from public view since being injured during an Israeli attack, raising concerns about his health. The meeting with military commanders was the first since the war began. Meanwhile, U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, suggest a preference for diplomatic solutions, although military options remain on the table. Recent diplomatic efforts, including talks mediated by Qatar, aim to restart negotiations between the U.S. and Iran to prevent further conflict. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has set strict conditions for negotiations, including lifting sanctions and reducing U.S. military presence in the region.