IRGC commander: Iran fully prepared for large-scale battles, long-term conflicts

The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), Maj-Gen Hossein Salami, has asserted that Iran’s armed forces are fully prepared to defend the country in the event of large-scale battles or long-term conflicts. 

Speaking on January 11 to the IRGC Aerospace Forces staff, Salami emphasized that Iran has been preparing for such confrontations with major world powers and their regional proxies for years, Caliber.Az reports via Iranian media.

Salami underscored that the power Iran has achieved is the result of decades of continuous efforts.

He described Iran’s growing missile capabilities, noting that every day sees improvements in missile systems across the country. "Today, we have the capacity to shoot down hundreds of planes in successive waves," he said.

Highlighting Iran's self-reliance, Salami remarked that the country has never depended on any foreign power to safeguard its independence, identity, credibility, or authority. He also referred to Iran's recent missile attack on Israeli military and intelligence targets on October 1, during which around 200 missiles were launched as part of Operation True Promise II, in retaliation for Israeli assassinations of key figures in the Palestinian and Lebanese Resistance, as well as a senior IRGC commander.

On October 26, in response to Israeli strikes on Iranian border provinces, Iran's integrated air defense system successfully intercepted the aggression. Salami concluded by reaffirming that Iran will continue to assert its rights and will not back down in the face of Israeli provocations.

By Khagan Isayev