A new national plan for civil defense training and shelter preparedness has been approved, Iran’s top military official said Saturday, just days after Israeli media warned of another potential war with Tehran.
“The new directive defines the responsibilities of executive bodies in building and managing shelters and emergency housing,” said Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, who chairs Iran’s Armed Forces General Staff.
The announcement follows a report aired Thursday by Israel’s Channel 12, which cited analysts warning that both Iran and Israel appear to be preparing for another round of fighting despite a ceasefire in their 12-day conflict in June.
Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian also warned this week that “Israel may attack again at any moment,” adding that Iran’s armed forces are fully prepared to repel any aggression.
"Today, within the armed forces, we are pursuing different preparedness programs across three timeframes—short-term, medium-term, and long-term," Mousavi said. "Improving readiness in the civilian sector and securing infrastructure must also be addressed with this same approach."
The new civil defense directive comes as Iranian authorities face criticism over the country’s vulnerability to airstrikes.
During the war with Israel, observers highlighted the lack of functioning air defense systems, early warning sirens, and public shelters.
Iran's government says 1,062 people were killed during the 12-day conflict with Israel, including 786 military personnel and 276 civilians.
Iranian strikes also killed 29 civilians and one off-duty soldier, Israeli media reported.
