Iran Declares Armed Forces at 'Highest Level of Readiness' — IRGC Brigadier-General: 'No Room for Retreat' — Day 75

IRGC Brigadier-General Mohammad Akrami Nia issued a formal statement on May 13, 2026 (Day 75) declaring Iran's armed forces are at the highest level of military readiness, with 'no room for retreat.' The statement followed CNN's May 12 reporting that Trump is 'more seriously thinking of restarting combat operations' and came on the same day Trump departed for Beijing. Iran's posture hardened significantly over Days 73–75: Iran had previously declared itself 'ready for any aggression' with its 'finger on the trigger' on Day 74. Taken together, Iran's military posture as of Day 75 is the most bellicose since the April 8 ceasefire took effect — a combination of public defiance and active preparation. Analysts noted the statements serve multiple purposes simultaneously: deterring US combat resumption, reassuring domestic audiences that Iran has not capitulated, and sending a signal to Beijing that any Trump-Xi agreement that delivers Iranian concessions will require commensurate security guarantees. The IAEA has had no access to Iranian nuclear facilities since February 28; Iran's nuclear posture — including the May 12 MP threat of 90% enrichment — adds further military significance to the alert declaration.