Iran to respond promptly, effectively to any threat: Top commander

Chief of General Staff of Iran’s Armed Forces says the Islamic Republic will respond promptly and effectively to any military threat against the country.

Major General Ali Abdollahi made the remarks in a congratulatory message to the commander of the Khatam al-Anbiya Joint Air Defense Headquarters, Brigadier General Alireza Elhami, on the occasion of Air Defense Day and the anniversary of the establishment of the Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Headquarters, on Tuesday.

This great day is a tribute to “the courage, knowledge and steadfastness of the noble” air defense personnel who guard the airspace of the Islamic Republic, General Abdollahi said.

Iran's defensive capabilities in the air domain, he said, depend on the precise implementation of the directives of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei.

This requires, General Abdollahi stated, “focusing on offensive air-defense strategies, and an integrated, active, dynamic and preemptive air-defense network, as well as connecting all layers of reconnaissance, radar, and missile systems in the form of a smart and resilient network to track and neutralize any possible threat at the farthest points."

The Iranian general also underscored “localizing and making systems intelligent through the development of advanced technologies and the deployment of systems specifically designed for electronic and cyber warfare.”

Iran’s indigenous air defense systems shot down over 200 enemy aircraft during recent war: Commander

The commander of the Iranian Army’s Air Defense Force says the country’s indigenous air defense systems helped shoot down more than 200 enemy aircraft during the recent war.

Referring to the grand strategy of the Armed Forces’ General Staff of responding promptly and effectively to any threat, including conventional and emerging military, cognitive and hybrid threats, against Iran, General Abdollahi said this requires “relying on domestic capabilities and skillful young people to enhance air defense’s electronic- and cyber-warfare capabilities in order to sustain active deterrence against the enemies’ increasingly growing threats.”

In this regard, the top commander also stressed the importance of improving the combat readiness of the personnel and creating synergy with the other armed forces.

'Iran to transform needs into defensive capabilities'

In a separate message, Iran's acting Defense Minister Brigadier General Majid Ibn Reza congratulated General Elhami and the air defense commanders and forces on the occasion. He also paid tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to preserve the security of Iran.

The acting minister said the defense industry considers it its duty to, alongside air-defense forces, transform the air-defense needs into defensive capabilities.

“The experience of the recent war once again showed that air defense is one of the main pillars of the country’s defensive power and, at the same time, one of the most important arenas for demonstrating Iran’s scientific and technological capabilities,” he said.

General Ibn Reza said what is currently being used by this force is the result of the connection between the needs of the battlefield, the knowledge of leading specialists and the capabilities of the defense industry.

This chain must be constantly improving through identifying emerging threats, he said.

“The country’s defense industry considers it its duty to, alongside air-defense personnel, turn the needs of this strategic force into technology and technology into defensive capability, and, relying on Iranian young people and specialists, remain prepared for the threats facing the country today and tomorrow.”

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir