Iran warns of new military response plan as attacks hit shipping vessels

Tehran says it has prepared a response 'more devastating' than previous conflicts, while vessels report strikes and crude oil prices spike.

By LineZotpaper

Published19 October 2026

Read Time3 min

A senior Iranian security official has warned that Tehran has a new operational plan ready to respond to any renewed U.S. or Israeli attack, while separate incidents involving commercial vessels in waters around the Arabian Peninsula have raised concerns about maritime security. President Donald Trump said he does not intend to use nuclear weapons or deploy ground troops in Iran.

Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said in a post on X that Iran's armed forces have prepared a response to any new act of adventurism that would be far more devastating than the 12-day and 40-day wars, referring to attacks by Israel in June 2025 and the conflict triggered by the U.S. and Israel in February. "Iran's new operational plan will not follow the rules with which they are familiar," Rezaei said, in comments translated by Google.

President Trump, speaking in a Newsmax interview broadcast Thursday, said he would not use nuclear weapons against Iran and does not foresee deploying ground troops. "I wouldn't use nuclear. We don't have to. We're the greatest nuclear power in the world," he said. The interview followed reports that Washington had considered using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast, known as the "Mother of All Bombs."

Iranian state media quoted Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi as saying that while Iran would not surrender its sovereign rights under pressure, it remains ready for dialogue.

Shipping vessels in waters around the Arabian Peninsula reported coming under fire in recent days. The British Navy-affiliated UK Maritime Trade Operations said a tug traveling northeast of the United Arab Emirates was hit by two unknown projectiles on Sunday. On Saturday, a tanker southwest of Yemen reported a small skiff that fired twice, with the tanker's security team responding with warning shots. Another tanker northeast of Saudi Arabia reported being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade on Friday.

Saudi Arabia intercepted several missiles fired over the Red Sea on Friday, including one heading toward the Yanbu oil export terminal, a military spokesman said. Three drones were destroyed in the Riyadh and southern regions. The kingdom's energy ministry said oil giant Aramco came under attack when militants hit one of its administrative buildings in Dhahran on Tuesday.

Crude oil prices rose sharply on Friday amid the tensions. Brent crude hit a session high of $110 per barrel for the first time since May, settling at $109.86. U.S. West Texas Intermediate rose to $101.41 per barrel, adding more than 10% last week.

Analysis

Why This Matters

Rising tensions in the Middle East risk further disruption to global energy supplies, with crude oil prices already spiking above $109 per barrel for Brent crude.
The combination of Iranian military threats and real-time attacks on commercial shipping could escalate into a broader regional conflict, affecting trade routes and energy security worldwide.
Diplomatic channels remain open, but both sides appear to be preparing for potential military confrontation.

Background

The warnings come after a series of escalations: a 12-day war with Israel in June 2025 and a conflict triggered by the U.S. and Israel in February, which Iran calls the 40-day war. Iran-aligned Houthi militants in Yemen have repeatedly attacked Saudi Arabia, while maritime authorities report a spike in incidents around the Arabian Peninsula. The U.S. has reportedly considered using the "Mother of All Bombs" in any potential campaign.

Key Perspectives

[Iran's Supreme National Security Council via Mohsen Rezae]: Iran has a new operational plan that will not follow familiar rules and is prepared for a more devastating response than previous conflicts. The country insists it will not surrender its sovereign rights but remains open to dialogue. [President Donald Trump]: He rules out nuclear weapons and ground troops, but has not ruled out other forms of military action. His administration is reportedly considering the use of the MOAB. [Maritime authorities and shipping industry]: Commercial vessels are facing direct attacks, with multiple incidents reported in recent days. The UK Maritime Trade Operations is tracking and reporting these events, indicating a growing security risk for international shipping.

What to Watch

Oil price movements: further spikes could indicate escalation or fears of supply disruptions.
Any U.S. military movements in the region, including deployment of assets or use of the MOAB.
Iran's next official response or any proxy action by Houthi forces against Saudi Arabia or shipping lanes.

Sources

Iran says it has a 'new operational plan' if the U.S. resumes attacks, as shipping vessels report strikes · US Top News and Analysis

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.

Show each claim

Partly supportedIran warns of new military response plan as attacks hit shipping vesselsUS Top News and Analysis: “Iran says it has a 'new operational plan' if the U.S. resumes attacks, as shipping vessels report strikes.”
Partly supportedTehran says it has prepared a response 'more devastating' than previous conflictsUS Top News and Analysis: “far more devastating than the 12-day and 40-day wars”
SupportedPresident Donald Trump said he does not intend to use nuclear weapons or deploy ground troops in Iran.US Top News and Analysis: “President Donald Trump said last week that he does not intend to use nuclear weapons against Iran or foresee deploying ground troops in the country.”
SupportedI wouldn't use nuclear. We don't have to. We're the greatest nuclear power in the world.US Top News and Analysis: “I wouldn't use nuclear. We don't have to. We're the greatest nuclear power in the world.”
SupportedMohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, said in a post on X that Iran's armed forces have prepared a response to any new act of adventurism that would be far more devastating than the 12-day and 40-day warsUS Top News and Analysis: “Iran's armed forces have prepared a response to any new act of adventurism that would be far more devastating than the 12-day and 40-day wars”
Partly supportedThe British Navy-affiliated UK Maritime Trade Operations said a tug traveling northeast of the United Arab Emirates was hit by two unknown projectiles on Sunday.US Top News and Analysis: “a tug traveling south northeast of the United Arab Emirates was hit by two unknown projectiles on Sunday”
SupportedBrent crude hit a session high of $110 per barrel for the first time since May, settling at $109.86.US Top News and Analysis: “Brent futures hit a session high of $110 per barrel for the first time since May before easing slightly to settle at $109.86”
SupportedU.S. West Texas Intermediate rose to $101.41 per barrel, adding more than 10% last week.US Top News and Analysis: “U.S. West Texas Intermediate rose 3.5% to settle at $101.41 per barrel. WTI added more than 10% last week”
SupportedThe interview followed reports that Washington had considered using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast, known as the 'Mother of All Bombs.'US Top News and Analysis: “The right-wing cable outlet asked Trump about reports that Washington was considering using the GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast, or MOAB, widely known as the 'Mother of All Bombs.'”
SupportedOn Saturday, a tanker southwest of Yemen reported a small skiff that fired twice, with the tanker's security team responding with warning shots.US Top News and Analysis: “On Saturday, a master of a liquefied natural gas tanker southwest of Yemen reported 'being approached by a small skiff with seven persons onboard,' UKMTO said. The skiff fired twice, and the tanker's security team responded with two warning shots.”
SupportedSaudi Arabia intercepted several missiles fired over the Red Sea on Friday, including one heading toward the Yanbu oil export terminal, a military spokesman said.US Top News and Analysis: “Saudi Arabia intercepted several missiles fired over the Red Sea on Friday, including one that was heading toward the oil export terminal Yanbu, a military spokesman said.”
SupportedThe kingdom's energy ministry said oil giant Aramco came under attack when militants hit one of its administrative buildings in Dhahran on Tuesday.US Top News and Analysis: “The kingdom's energy ministry said oil giant Aramco came under attack when militants hit one of its administrative buildings in Dhahran on Tuesday.”