Iran's top general says air defenses must adapt to new threats

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
31 Aug 2025 18:35

Major General Mousavi said that continued investment in modern technologies, homegrown innovation, and skilled specialists will ensure that Iran stays ahead of its adversaries.

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Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces (IRNA)

Iran's top military commander has reaffirmed the strength and resilience of the nation's air defense network, stressing that recent confrontations only proved the country's ability to withstand aggression and emerge stronger.

Speaking on National Air Defense Day, Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, said Iran's defense posture must continue to evolve in line with changing regional and global threats. He drew on the experience of the eight-year Sacred Defense against Iraq and the more recent battles with the United States and the Israeli regime as evidence that vigilance and preparedness are essential for safeguarding sovereignty.

His remarks follow the July 2025 war, when Israeli and US strikes targeted Iranian nuclear, civilian and military installations. Within weeks, Tehran had restored every air defense battery that was hit, demonstrating both industrial depth and military readiness. Mahmoud Mousavi, the deputy for army operations, confirmed that damaged systems had already been replaced with reserves and that Iran's skies are fully protected.

During the 12-day retaliation campaign, Iran's forces also exposed the weaknesses of "Israel's" much-publicized missile defense shield. By adapting missile tactics and deploying advanced weapons such as the Fattah-1 hypersonic system, Iranian units managed to breach all layers of "Israel's" security systems,

Major General Mousavi noted that continued investment in modern technologies, homegrown innovation, and skilled specialists will ensure that Iran stays ahead of its adversaries. He also underlined the importance of tighter integration between the Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), describing a unified and fully coordinated air defense system as the guarantee of national sovereignty.

According to Mousavi, Iran's ability to recover rapidly, strike effectively, and modernize under pressure has not only secured its airspace but also strengthened its deterrence posture in the region.