Iran's military announced a significant policy shift on March 11, 2026, abandoning its previous stance of "proportional retaliation" in favor of a "continuous strikes" strategy targeting the United States, Israel, and their allies. The decision follows recent escalations in regional tensions, including U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian territory earlier this month.
A spokesperson for Tehran's Khatam al-Anbiya military command stated that any maritime assets or oil shipments linked to these nations will now be considered legitimate targets. The announcement coincides with large public funerals in Tehran for Revolutionary Guards Corps commanders killed in recent attacks, underscoring the domestic context of the policy change.
Analysts suggest this development could destabilize key shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf and complicate international efforts to maintain regional security frameworks. The move comes as global energy markets remain sensitive to Middle Eastern geopolitics, with potential implications for trade routes and oil prices.
