Iran Shifts to Offensive Military Doctrine, Offers Bounty on U.S. Troops

Iran's army is transitioning its military doctrine from a defensive to an offensive posture, a shift influenced by lessons learned during two recent conflicts described as 12-day and 40-day wars. Brig. Gen. Mohammad Akraminia, an army spokesman, stated that this change has been gradual, evolving during these engagements.

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Our country’s military doctrine was defensive in the past, but gradually during these two wars, we witnessed the military doctrine moving from a defensive posture toward an offensive one.

Akraminia clarified that an offensive doctrine does not automatically equate to preemptive operations. However, he noted that Iran had previously adopted such an approach by striking a U.S. base in Jordan before the U.S. officially entered a conflict, claiming significant damage to American equipment and personnel. The revised doctrine also mandates immediate retaliation, with Iran's response potentially escalating beyond the initial attack's magnitude.

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Our country’s military doctrine was defensive in the past, but gradually during these two wars, we witnessed the military doctrine moving from a defensive posture toward an offensive one.

Furthermore, the army has outlined a plan offering financial incentives for the killing or capture of U.S. troops should they launch a ground invasion into Iran. Military personnel or civilians with hunting weapons could receive approximately $26,000 for killing or capturing invading U.S. soldiers. This reward doubles to about $53,000 if the action is performed by a woman. The army also intends to purchase the weapon used at twice its value, display it in a military museum under the owner's name, and provide a replacement weapon.

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Under the plan, military personnel or civilians legally possessing hunting weapons would receive 5 billion tomans, or about $26,000, for killing or capturing US troops who enter Iranian territory.

In parallel, Iran has restructured its military command by merging the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters with the General Staff of the Armed Forces. Akraminia explained this aims to enhance agility, improve coordination, and expedite decision-making, thereby strengthening command unity and response times to threats. The army is also pursuing diplomatic and legal channels to clarify the status of three Iranian Su-24 pilots involved in an attack on a U.S. base in Qatar, with Qatar yet to provide definitive information.

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The reward would double to 10 billion tomans, or about $53,000, if the action were carried out by a woman.