Iranian army shifts to offensive doctrine, targets US troops

Iranian army spokesman Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akraminia said Saturday the military's strategic doctrine has shifted from a defensive to an offensive posture, citing lessons learned during recent conflicts referred to as the "12-day and 40-day wars."

Doctrine shift follows recent conflicts

Akraminia told state news agency IRNA that the transformation occurred gradually during the two recent wars. "Our country's military doctrine was defensive in the past, but gradually during these two wars, we witnessed the military doctrine moving from a defensive posture toward an offensive one," he said. The shift manifests in rapid and broader responses to attacks as well as preemptive operations, according to the spokesman.

Bounty program targets US forces

The army has devised a plan offering financial rewards for killing or capturing American troops in the event of a ground incursion into Iranian territory, Akraminia said. Members of the armed forces or civilians legally possessing hunting weapons would receive 5 billion tomans — approximately $26,000 — for killing or capturing US troops entering Iran, he stated. The reward would be doubled to 10 billion tomans, roughly $53,000, if the action were carried out by a woman, he added.

Weapon buyback scheme announced

Under the announced program, the army would also purchase the weapon used for twice its value, Akraminia noted. The firearm would be preserved in a military museum under the owner's name, with the individual receiving a similar replacement weapon, he said.

Tehran claims declining US regional influence

Akraminia also claimed that US influence in the region had declined sharply, pointing to what he described as a defense and security mechanism established by Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and Pakistan independently of Washington. Regardless of its future effectiveness, the mechanism demonstrates the decline of the US position in the region and represents the first regional defense and security mechanism without US participation, he said.