Iran issues military threats amid UN General Assembly visit

Tensions in the Middle East have escalated as Iran’s military leadership, specifically the Khatam al-Anbiya headquarters and the Revolutionary Guards, issued warnings of severe and continuous retaliation should the United States launch new attacks. Iranian officials claim they have intelligence regarding a U.S.-led plan, allegedly coordinated in a European country with the support of certain regional nations, to resume military operations against Tehran. Iranian Revolutionary Guards spokesperson Hossein Mohebi declared that any new aggression would lead to the use of new weaponry and a shift in the "geography of the war," potentially targeting sites that were previously untouched.

Simultaneously, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian traveled to New York to address the UN General Assembly, marking the first visit by a high-ranking Iranian official to U.S. soil since the conflict began in late February 2026. While the U.S. granted visas to the delegation, it restricted the entry of some staff, including members of the president's communication team. Ahead of the summit, Iranian officials, including Mohsen Rezaei, relayed terms for de-escalation via Qatar, demanding an end to hostilities on all fronts—notably in Lebanon—and the release of billions in frozen assets. Despite diplomatic efforts, Iran has hardened its stance, asserting that a previous de-escalation roadmap signed on June 17 was violated, leaving Tehran prepared for a prolonged conflict.