The representative of Supreme Leader Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei and Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, declared that “Iran’s missile capabilities are a fundamental element of the country’s defense doctrine and part of its deterrence mechanism,” noting that “from this perspective, they are defined as part of the defense red lines and are not open to negotiation.”
During his interview with Al Jazeera Net, he discussed the significance of his appointment to his new position as Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, addressing the council’s responsibilities and Iran’s stance on its missile capabilities amid ongoing negotiations.
In this context, he stated that “the activation of the Supreme National Security Council at this stage reflects the necessity of focusing on unified action at the highest defense and security levels in the country. The security situation in the region has become more complex, and responding to these circumstances requires an integrated mechanism for strategic coordination, precise decision-making, and maximizing the utilization of national capabilities. The council was formed for this purpose, and its role will be to enhance harmony and efficiency in the defense field.”
Regarding the primary mission of the Supreme National Security Council, Shamkhani explained that “this council is defined within the framework of Article 176 of the Constitution, and its mission is to create strategic coordination between the defense and security sectors, strengthen the unity of the armed forces, and support major decision-making processes in the defense field. In these sensitive regional circumstances, the existence of such a structure is essential to enhance deterrence and develop national security mechanisms.”
He added that “some actors, especially the Zionist entity, are fundamentally opposed to any path that reduces tensions between Iran and the United States, and seek to steer the dialogue toward destabilization,” noting that “nevertheless, the countries of the region are well aware that any conflict could escalate and seriously threaten collective security and regional stability.”
In this context, he stated that “recent diplomatic moves aim to contain tensions and promote a political solution—an approach based on a precise understanding of the threat, its harmful effects on all countries in the region, and the necessity of managing it.”
Furthermore, Shamkhani asserted that “the strategic reality is that the Zionist regime will not be able to carry out an effective military operation against Iran without direct coordination and support from the United States,” adding that “any large-scale military action requires operational, logistical, and political support from Washington.”
He continued, “This was clearly demonstrated during the 12‑day war.”
He declared that his country “will respond to any provocation with a decisive, proportionate, and devastating response,” emphasizing that “Iran’s level of defensive preparedness makes the cost of any miscalculation by the initiating party extremely high. The rational course for all parties is to avoid escalation and refrain from any actions that destabilize the region’s security and stability.”
Source: Al Jazeera Net