PARIS (Dispatches) -- French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu has cautioned Western policymakers about underestimating Iran’s strategic, technological, and scientific capabilities, emphasizing that the Islamic Republic is far stronger and more resourceful than many in the West perceive.
In a recent interview with French magazine Le Club, Lecornu acknowledged Iran’s resilience and technological advancements, noting that Western countries often underestimate the country’s military and scientific achievements.
“We look at Iran as if it were a very small country,” Lecornu said, adding, “We underestimate Iran’s strategic, technical, technological, and scientific depth, as well as its natural resources.” 
He went on to highlight that Iran has survived since the 1979 Islamic Revolution despite immense security challenges and has effectively navigated decades of Western sanctions.
Lecornu’s remarks come after Iran’s forceful response to the U.S.-Israeli aggression in June, which demonstrated the country’s growing strategic capabilities. 
Iran’s missile forces—armed with advanced indigenous technology—proved to be a game-changer, shifting the balance of power in the region. The missile strikes on Israeli military targets showcased Iran’s growing mastery of advanced military technology, including its ability to strike high-value targets with precision.
Lecornu also touched on the significant progress Iran has made in missile technology, describing the advances as “perhaps the most spectacular in recent years.” The French defense official acknowledged that Iran has now “complete mastery of missile propulsion,” a key component of the country’s growing missile arsenal.
The advancements in Iran’s missile technology are a testament to the country’s commitment to self-reliance in defense. 
Iran has developed a variety of indigenous missiles capable of striking distant targets with high accuracy. This progress has effectively neutralized the threat 

 posed by Western-backed missile defense systems, further enhancing Iran’s deterrence capabilities.
As the U.S. and Israel attempted to sabotage Iran’s nuclear program through targeted strikes, including the assassination of scientists and destruction of key facilities, Iran’s technological and strategic depth proved its resilience. 
Lecornu pointed out that Iran’s scientific knowledge has evolved significantly over the past two decades, making it immune to the setbacks caused by such acts of aggression.
“Eliminating a few scientists no longer erases their entire knowledge—it merely creates fear and may delay the program,” Lecornu noted, highlighting Iran’s ability to withstand such targeted attacks and continue progressing in its scientific and military endeavors.