TEHRAN – Iran’s highest-ranking military commander on Sunday dismissed that Iranian drones have been used in the war in Ukraine, saying the allegations are part of the enemy’s “psychological warfare”.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a cultural exhibition here, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Muhammad Hussein Baqeri said all the fuss raised by the “world of arrogance” also indicates Iran’s influence and significance and the quality of its drone industry.
Baqeri described Iran as one of the world’s top five powers in the drone industry, saying the Iranian UAVs can carry out a broad range of missions with high accuracy and flight endurance.
He referred to the admission made by a former commander of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) that U.S. superiority in air power has ended for the first time after the Second World War because Americans are not able to project aerial power where there are Iranian drones.
“This is a big and humiliating confession by the Americans. It is true that they have lost such aerial superiority.”
The general emphasized that Iran will proceed with plans to promote its drone capabilities, saying, “In accordance with the Islamic Republic’s issues and guidelines, we will cooperate with other countries in the drone industry.”
In comments earlier this month, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Muhammad Reza Ashtiani said Ukrainian experts have failed to produce any evidence for Kiev’s claim that Russia has employed Iranian military drones in the war in Ukraine.
“In the technical meeting, the Ukrainian side did not present any document about Russia’s employment of Iranian drones in the war with that country (Ukraine) and shelved it for the next sessions,” the general said.
Dismissing the accusation that Iran has supplied UAVs for use in the Ukraine war, the minister said such rumors are based on unfounded claims.
He added that Iran and Russia have been involved in military cooperation since long ago and have not begun to form such interaction for the utilization of Iranian drones in the Ukraine war.