Iran's IRGC says military adopts 'transformational approach,' warns of 'strategic surprises'

A deputy commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the country's armed forces have adopted a "transformational approach" in their new military doctrine, warning that adversaries will face "strategic surprises." Brigadier General Yadollah Javani, deputy commander of the IRGC, said in remarks carried by Iran's official IRNA news agency that the new doctrine is built on the principle of "maximum deterrence" and frames every defensive action as an offensive one. He framed the doctrine as a realignment of the Islamic Republic's defense posture and pointed to the appointment of Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi as the IRGC's new commander, noting that the appointee and other newly named commanders served during the 1980-1988 war Iraq's Saddam Hussein waged against Iran. Javani said the war is ongoing and that the enemy is waiting for an opportunity, and he stressed that the armed forces will follow a transformational path in which their moves could carry an offensive character. He concluded by stating that adversaries will not be able to carry out surprise actions and will instead encounter strategic surprises.