‘True heroes’: Iran’s Army chief hails martyred pilot who struck US bases

Iran’s Army chief has issued a tribute to Brigadier General Majid Kazemi, a brave Su-24 fighter pilot who was martyred alongside three of his valiant crewmates during a bold operation against US military bases in the region.

They were “true and genuine heroes,” Major General Amir Hatami stated on Wednesday.

His martyrdom, General Hatami said, has brought both deep sorrow and immense pride to the nation, serving as a testament to the courage of the defenders of the Islamic Republic who shield the country with their lives and serve as role models for the younger generation.

The statement highlighted the extraordinary courage displayed during the final mission of the martyred crew.

Despite facing the most advanced air defense systems and enduring a barrage of heavy firepower, the aviators focused solely on executing their critical mission against the US bases.

“This bold operation, in which Martyr Kazemi attained the lofty rank of martyrdom, is itself a prime example of the unique power of the Army’s Air Force in one of the most sensitive conditions the country has faced.”

The Iranian Army chief praised the pilots for their deep love for Iran and its noble people, which drove them to strike the enemy and etch the name of Iran once again at the pinnacle of global honor.

A legacy of sky defenders

General Hatami placed the martyred crew within the glorious historical lineage of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF).

He described the Air Force as one of the most pride-generating fortresses of national defense, drawing a direct line from the enduring valor of the eight-year Sacred Defense (the Iran-Iraq War) to the recent display of power during the 12-Day and 40-Day wars against heavily armed US and Zionist enemies.

“Martyr Kazemi and his three valiant comrades have stepped onto this proud path and registered their names forever alongside these great figures,” the statement read, invoking the legacy of legendary IRIAF martyrs such as Abbas Babaei and Hossein Lashkari.

“They have become a true role model for the new generation of Iran.”

Reaffirming the military's unwavering stance, General Hatami declared that the Army remains steadfast in its covenant with the nation, vowing to defend the sacred system of the Islamic Republic, the pure soil of Iran, and its independence against all aggressors until the very last breath.

Martyr Kazemi was a veteran pilot of the Su-24 Fencer, a supersonic, all-weather attack aircraft that has long served as the backbone of the IRIAF’s strategic strike capabilities.

Iran's ground forces stand ready against emerging threats

The imposed war by the US and Israel against Iran has highlighted the capabilities of the naval forces of the Islamic Republic.

Known for their precision and deep-penetration abilities, Su-24 squadrons have been at the forefront of Iran’s deterrence strategy, frequently deployed to monitor and counter hostile movements in the region.

During the 12-Day War of June 2025 and the Ramadan War, the IRIAF played a pivotal role in neutralizing enemy threats, conducting daring sorties against the enemies and their regional infrastructure.

The successful penetration of these defenses by Iranian pilots underscores the high operational readiness and tactical superiority of the IRIAF.

During the imposed eight-year war in the 1980s, Iranian aviators achieved legendary status by downing numerous enemy aircraft and striking critical enemy targets, often flying outdated equipment against heavily supplied adversaries.

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