Iran’s top officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s advisor, visited Russia to bolster ties amid threats from Israel.
Reports suggest that the Iranian and Russian officials held a series of talks this month, focused on reinforcing military and strategic cooperation.
These high-level meetings highlight the deepening partnership between Tehran and Moscow, as tensions with Israel and the US escalate.
On July 22, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz convened a high-level meeting with senior IDF officials, to discuss further military plans targeting Iran.
Katz warned that Israel may resume attacks on Iran, stressing the need to preserve the country’s air superiority.
He emphasized the need to maintain the operational capabilities of the Israeli Air Force, which Israel had demonstrated during the 12-day war with Iran.
Israel claimed to have crippled Iran’s defence systems, allowing them to gain the upper hand during 'Operation Rising Lion.'
Katz has ordered the military to develop an effective plan to prevent Iran from restoring its missile and nuclear programmes.
But Iranian military officials say that all the defence systems damaged during the war have been repaired, and are fully operational. Admitting losses, Iran’s Rear Admiral Mahmoud Mousavi said, "Some of our defence systems were damaged in this war; but with the efforts of my comrades, the damaged systems were replaced and deployed in predetermined locations".
Notably, Israel and the US have warned that they may start a bombing campaign, if Iran restarts its nuclear enrichment programme. Iranian leaders, however, insist that their uranium enrichment is for peaceful purposes, and it will continue in line with international rules.
Earlier this month, during a visit to Washington, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a new demand for ending hostilities with Iran. He warned Iran to limit its missile range to 480 kilometers.
As tensions between Iran and Israel remain high, and the resumption of war seems likely, reports suggest that Tehran is preparing for a possible new conflict.
The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, Brigadier General Majid Mousavi, gave an interview where he revealed the country’s preparedness for war.
Referring to the assassination of military leaders and civilians during the previous war, Mousavi said that future clashes could see more casualties, so he reiterated the need to prepare for any situation.
To build a military deterrence, Iranian military leaders and lawmakers have stepped up efforts to boost defence capabilities.
Reports suggest that Iran is bracing for a potential 10-year-long war with the US and Israel.
Iran’s Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Ashtiani, claimed that the country has enough military supplies to sustain a decade of warfare.
To boost military capabilities, Iran’s parliament passed a bill on July 14, aimed at increasing the defence budget. The bill was backed by 120 lawmakers, and has been sent to Iran's Defence sub-committee for detailed review.
The measure follows a 200% defence budget increase announced in October 2024, raising next year's spending estimate to $46 billion.
With both Iran and Israel re-arming, and the rhetoric intensifying, the threat of renewed war continues to loom. And the war has the potential to spill over into the broader Middle East.
