Iran marks National Air Defense Day, hails self-reliance

In a message released on Tuesday, Brigadier General Amir Hatami, the Army Commander-in-Chief of Iran, congratulated the National Air Defense Day to the commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Joint Air Defense Headquarters and the Air Defense Force.

General Hatami emphasized that the National Air Defense Day serves as a reminder of the valuable and far-sighted plan of the martyred Leader of the Islamic Revolution and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, in establishing a joint air defense base as the first priority for the country's defense power. He noted that this strategic plan has provided solid support for the protection of the skies of the Islamic Republic of Iran by creating coordination and integration among the defense capacities of the Armed Forces.

During the eight years of the Sacred Defense (the Iraqi-imposed war against Iran from 1980 to 1988), the Air Defense Force achieved brilliant feats of resistance and sacrifice. General Hatami added that it rapidly advanced on the path of achieving self-sufficiency, indigenizing, and promoting the defense system, relying on the technical know-how and high competency of talented young specialists.

The message was reported by Mehr News Agency, which added that the Air Defense Force has continued to develop its capabilities in line with the strategic guidance of the Supreme Leader, ensuring the security of Iranian airspace.