# Iran Threatens Preemptive Strikes as US Questions Tehran's Control

> Iran vows pre-emptive strikes against US while Washington doubts Tehran's leadership authority.
- Title: Iran Threatens Preemptive Strikes as US Questions Tehran's…
- Summary: Iran vows pre-emptive strikes against US while Washington doubts Tehran's leadership authority. Iran's military claims readiness for pre-emptive strikes…
- Keywords: iran, strait of hormuz, irgc, mohammad akrami-nia, mohammad reza naqdi, masoud pezeshkian, vance, donald trump, khamenei, news, world, Threatens
- Source: euronews — https://euronews.com/2026/10/07/iran-threatens-pre-emptive-strikes-as-us-questions-who-runs-tehran
- Author: Babak Kamiar
- Published: 2026-10-07T14:04:19+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: iran, us, strait of hormuz, irgc, mohammad akrami-nia, mohammad reza naqdi, masoud pezeshkian, vance, donald trump, khamenei, news, world
## Iran's Military Readiness
Iran's army spokesman said the armed forces are prepared to carry out pre-emptive strikes against the US.

> Should circumstances require it, we will conduct pre-emptive operations down the line in order to prevent the enemy from committing any act of aggression or intrusion
## IRGC Claims Strait Control
IRGC officials stated the Strait of Hormuz is closed and under full Iranian control.

> The Strait of Hormuz is closed and the armed forces have full control over it, and this situation will continue until Iran's legitimate demands are met
## Strait Traffic Declines
IRGC reported an average of 10 ships per day transiting the strait compared to 125 before the war.

> These ships are mainly those that pass through the waterway and designated route with the permission of the Islamic Republic of Iran
## US Questions Iranian Authority
US officials confirmed talks with Iranian leaders but questioned their decision-making authority.

> One of the things we picked up on is it's not totally clear how their country makes decisions
## Trump's Leadership Claims
Trump suggested the new Ayatollah Khamenei is a sick man and in charge of Iran.

> They say he is giving approval, because that's the way it has been for a long, long time
## Key takeaway

Iran's military claims readiness for pre-emptive strikes against US as US questions how much civilian leadership holds authority in Iran.