Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has called on revolutionary Guards (IRGC) commanders to prepare themselves for "big events."

Speaking to IRGC leaders who went to see him at the end of a 3-day national gathering of Revolutionary Guard commanders, on Wednesday October 2, Khamenei said: "Do not fear the enemy at all. Be alert and have thorough assessment of the enemy's potentials."

"You should not fear the enemy no matter how strong, but at the same time you should not underestimate its capability," Said Khamenei.

Khamenei made the statement as tensions have been escalating between Tehran and Washington and its allies in the Persian Gulf region following attacks on Saudi oil facilities in September for which U.S. blames Iran, and some observers have been talking about the possibility of a military confrontation.

Meanwhile, Khamenei advised that the IRGC should extend its outlook beyond Iran's geographic bordersand pay attention to threats “beyond the borders”. Iranian officials have occasionally said that Syria, Yemen and Lebanon are part of the country's "strategic depth."

In an odd comment in a country where most civilian officials and military commanders, not to mention Khamenei himself serve much beyond their retirement age, Khamenei advised the commanders "Not to allow the IRGC become old and conservative or complacent with the status quo."