Senior Commander: Iran’s Military Stronger Than During 12-Day War
TEHRAN — A senior Iranian military commander said on Wednesday that Iran’s armed forces are now stronger than they were during the 12-day war, saying the military has expanded its capabilities and drawn operational lessons from the U.S.-Israeli attacks on the country.
Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, the Iranian Army’s chief of staff and deputy coordinator, said the armed forces continue to strengthen their capabilities in line with the threats they face.
“We closely monitor threats and fully understand their depth. The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army increases its capabilities in proportion to the threats. And today, our capabilities are greater than those of the 12-day imposed war,” Sayyari said.
He said the recent war has provided valuable lessons that are being used to improve the army’s readiness, personnel and equipment.
“Today, we have reached a very good position both in terms of military personnel and in terms of equipment; we have also learned many lessons from recent wars, and we are using these lessons to further enhance the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.
“Recent wars have provided us with major lessons, and applying them will be very effective in increasing our readiness,” he added.
Referring to Iran’s western borders, Sayyari said the country’s forces remain prepared to confront any threat.
“Wherever the great Iranian nation and the soldiers guarding these borders are present, the enemy is mistaken if it believes it can carry out any action,” he said.
The remarks came months after the United States and Israel launched another round of attacks against Iran on Feb. 28. Tehran responded with missile and drone strikes targeting Israeli positions and U.S. bases and interests across the region.
Separately, Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi, a senior military adviser to Iran’s commander-in-chief, said the Axis of Resistance will continue to shape the region’s security landscape and would ultimately prevail against any future U.S. or Israeli military action.
Speaking to Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen television, Rahim Safavi said the Axis of Resistance extends from Iran to Lebanon and across the Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb and the Red Sea.
“The resistance will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the region’s political and security equations without the presence of foreign powers,” he said.
Rahim Safavi also described Lebanon’s Hezbollah as the guardian of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and said Iran and the resistance front will “undoubtedly emerge victorious” in the face of any U.S.-Israeli aggression.