Iran Prepares for 'Inevitable' US Strikes, Deploys Missiles Aimed at Israel

Iranian officials are operating under the assumption that US military strikes are both inevitable and imminent, even as diplomatic channels remain open for nuclear negotiations, according to a detailed report by The New York Times.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has delegated sweeping authority to Ali Larijani, head of the Supreme National Security Council, to manage the country's response amid escalating tensions with the United States and Israel.

Larijani, a former Revolutionary Guards commander and longtime Khamenei ally, has effectively sidelined President Masoud Pezeshkian, overseeing everything from crushing internal protests to liaising with allies like Russia, Qatar, and Oman. "We are ready in our country. We are definitely more powerful than before," Larijani stated in a recent interview, adding that Iran has addressed weaknesses exposed in last year's conflict and would respond forcefully if attacked.

In the event of a military conflict with the U.S. or Israel, special police units, intelligence agents, and Basij militia forces are expected to deploy to major cities, including Tehran, to prevent domestic unrest, suppress potential uprisings, and identify suspected foreign operatives. This strategy aims to curb internal destabilization that could arise from external attacks, ensuring regime stability during a crisis.

Iran's armed forces are now on the highest state of alert, with ballistic missile launchers positioned along the western border with Iraq, within range of Israel and along the southern shores of the Persian Gulf, targeting US bases in the region.

This buildup follows lessons from the June 2025 12-day war, during which Israel and the US struck Iranian military and nuclear sites, killing over 1,000 and decimating Tehran's senior command structure.

Khamenei, who went into hiding during that conflict, has now established multiple layers of succession and emergency protocols, including plans for special forces to secure major cities against unrest or foreign operatives.

The preparations come amid US President Trump's rapid military buildup in the Middle East, giving him the option for strikes as early as this weekend, per US officials.

Khamenei has issued defiant warnings, threatening to deliver "such a slap" to US forces that they "won’t be able to get on their feet" and sink American warships.

Analysts warn that any US action could trigger a ferocious Iranian missile barrage on Israel and regional US assets, potentially escalating into a broader conflict.

This development follows Iran's brutal suppression of January protests, where at least 7,000 demonstrators were killed, further straining relations with the West.

Israeli officials have not yet publicly responded.