Iran army chief says air defenses ready, warns aggressors of heavier losses

Major General Amir Hatami, commander-in-chief of Iran's Army, said the country's air defense force has reached a new level of readiness and that any aggressor attacking Iran again will face heavier damage than before. He made the remarks during a visit to an exhibition displaying the remnants of drones and missiles that Army air defenses shot down, according to Mehr News Agency (MNA).

Hatami said the enemy, contrary to the image of power and invincibility it projects through psychological and cognitive warfare, is vulnerable, and that its military equipment and assets can be targeted on the battlefield. He pointed to the large drones, missiles and other equipment used by the enemy and struck by air defense systems, which are on display at the exhibition, describing them as an illustration of part of the successes achieved by the air defense force's personnel.

The Army chief's comments came as he toured the exhibition of intercepted hardware, which was presented as evidence of the air defense force's performance. He did not provide further details on the specific incidents represented by the displayed items or on the timeframe in which they were downed.

Hatami's remarks are part of a series of statements by Iranian military officials on the country's defensive capabilities. The exhibition was organized to showcase equipment that Iranian air defenses say they brought down, and the Army commander used the occasion to argue that the enemy's projected strength does not match its actual vulnerability.

According to Mehr News Agency (MNA), Hatami said the air defense force has gained new readiness and warned that any aggressor attacking the country again will face heavier losses.