TEHRAN – Iran’s top military commanders on Thursday highlighted the country’s growing missile and drone capabilities, signaling a firm commitment to maintaining what they describe as a “point of no return” in its defense infrastructure.
Speaking at ceremonies honoring fallen commanders, senior officials stressed that Iran’s military development continues despite decades of foreign opposition and sanctions.
Brigadier General Hassan Hassanzadeh, commander of the Tehran-based Muhammad Rasulullah Corps, described Iran’s current missile and drone capacities as among the strongest in the world. 
Addressing a gathering in Gilan province, Hassanzadeh said the country had “reached a point that cannot be reversed,” adding that any attempt by adversaries to halt Iran’s progress is “doomed to fail.”
Citing Tehran’s history of missile and drone operations, the commander referenced the recent 12-day confrontation in which Iranian forces demonstrated what he described as their deterrent capabilities, asserting that the country is now stronger and more experienced than in previous decades.
Brigadier General Majid Mousavi, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force, echoed Hassanzadeh’s message, emphasizing the influence of Iran’s late military pioneers. 
Speaking on the sidelines of a ceremony honoring martyrs, Mousavi pledged to uphold the legacy of the fallen, calling it “the cornerstone of Iran’s defense capabilities.”
He paid particular tribute to Martyr Hassan Tehrani Moghaddam, known as the “father of Iran’s missile program,” praising his strategic vision in identifying and countering threats. 
Tehrani Moghaddam played a pivotal role in developing Iran’s indigenous missile capabilities during the 1980s Iran-Iraq war and mentored generations of aerospace commanders who continued his mission.
“This martyr left a legacy for all Iranian people that is known as the axis of the country’s defense power,” Mousavi said. He added that Iran will “continue the path of the martyrs with full strength and bring the enemy to its knees in the event of any mistake.”
Mousavi now leads the IRGC Aerospace Force following the martyrdom of General Amir Ali Hajizadeh in June, a key protégé of Tehrani Moghaddam who had carried forward his unfinished mission. 
Mousavi emphasized that Iran’s capabilities have been further strengthened by Hajizadeh’s contributions, alongside those of the late Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Muhammad Bagheri, vowing to continue their work “with full power.”
Other senior officials highlighted the role of the Iranian public and revolutionary values in bolstering the country’s defense posture. 
Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, deputy head of the Armed Forces’ Cultural and Soft Warfare Office, described the Aerospace Force as increasingly robust and closely tied to religious and national identity. 
“The blood of martyrs like Amir Ali Hajizadeh flows through the veins of our nation and this force, empowering us,” he said, affirming that Iran would not waver in its quest for strength.
IRGC deputy commander Brigadier General Ali Fadavi said the process of strengthening Iran’s military capabilities is ongoing across all sectors, including the Aerospace Force. 
“This process has no end,” he said,

 emphasizing that Iran continues to advance its power and capabilities. 
Fadavi dismissed claims about restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile range as “not based on any expertise at all,” adding that such comments reflect a lack of understanding of the field.
He also clarified that Iran adheres to guidelines set by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei regarding missile ranges, stating, “We comply with what the Leader has ordered. This has nothing to do with our scientific and industrial capabilities.”
Referring to the recent 12-day confrontation, Fadavi said, “In this war, God fulfilled His promise and granted victory to a nation that stood firm for truth. The condition for realizing divine promises is the fulfillment of divine duties, and the devotees of the Islamic Revolution have carried out their divine obligations.”
On June 13, 2025, Israel launched strikes on Iranian civilian, military, and nuclear sites, martyring several commanders, scientists and civilians. 
Iran responded with Operation True Promise III, launching waves of drones and missiles that struck Israeli settlements and military targets. The U.S. Air Force and Navy later bombed three Iranian nuclear sites in support of Israel, prompting Iran to retaliate with Operation Glad Tidings of Victory, targeting a U.S. base in Qatar. Both Israel and the United States agreed to a ceasefire on June 24 after sustaining heavy losses.
Fadavi said the 12-day war demonstrated that “all the world powers joined forces against Iran but were defeated, because the devotees of the Islamic Revolution performed their divine duties.” He added that “all the wicked powers of the world, with all their might, have failed to achieve even a single victory over the Islamic Revolution.”
Highlighting technological achievements, Fadavi said the IRGC Aerospace Force has worked tirelessly to strengthen its defensive capabilities, noting that even adversaries attempted to copy Iran’s Shahed-136 drone and acknowledged it as “the best drone in the world.”
“The IRGC, in carrying out its divine duty, has not wasted even 24 hours, and this process continues,” Fadavi said, emphasizing that Iran remains focused on enhancing its combat power and operational readiness.