“Brigadier General [Alireza] Sabahifard visiting the radar and missile positions in Tabriz,” IRIB (state media broadcaster), 11 June 2024.
“[Iran’s air defenses] have the capability to react promptly and momentously against any potential threats.”
Summary: Following Israel’s attack, Iranian Army Air Defense Force Commander Brigadier General Alireza Sabahifard visited the northwest region to assess its air defense capabilities and has asserted that they remain very strong.
Following Israel’s recent attacks, Iranian authorities are seeking to reassert the capabilities of their air defense systems by making visits to various air defense zones in the country. On 19 April, Israel carried out a retaliatory strike in western Esfahan (Iran), which took out one of four Russian-made S-300 air defense radars.[i] The Israeli attack was in response to Tehran and its proxies launching more than 300 drones, as well as ballistic and cruise missiles, in response to the Israeli strike on the Iranian embassy compound in Syria in mid-April.[ii]
As per the first excerpted article from the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), during a visit to Iran’s northwest, Iranian Army Air Defense Force Commander Brigadier General Alireza Sabahifard underscored the capabilities of Iran’s air defenses claiming it “has the capability to react promptly and momentously against any potential threats.” Sabahifard emphasized that “The Army’s air defense force has achieved significant and valuable accomplishments, especially in the areas of producing various types of drones and radars.” According to the second excerpted article by IRIB, Sabahifard said, “Radars, missiles, electronic warfare, and drone systems will be unveiled in the near future and integrated into the country’s air defense cycle.” These comments about the strength of the air defense systems are in line with other Iranian officials’ efforts to downplay the Israeli retaliation in Esfahan. They have claimed that the attacks were merely carried out by quadcopters or, as they described, “toy” drones. But as evident by Sabahifard’s comments, Tehran is trying to sell the notion that is air defense systems can withstand any threat. In the wake of the tit-for-tat with Israel, the Iranian military is reassessing its air defense capabilities and better preparing itself for the possibility of another attack.
Sources:
“پیشرفتهای پدافند هوایی ایران شتابنده و جهشی است (Iran’s air defense system has developed exponentially),” Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (state broadcaster), 9 June 2024.
https://www.iribnews.ir/00HqxS
According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Brigadier General [Alireza] Sabahifard stated on Sunday during a visit to the air defense northwest region of the country: “The army’s air defense force has achieved significant and valuable accomplishments, especially in the areas of producing various types of drones and radars. These achievements are very important and precious stones that are a source of pride for friends and a cause of concern for enemies”
The commander of the army’s air defense force emphasized that air defense is at the forefront of the country’s defense, stating: “This divine force with its various defense systems has the capability to react promptly and momentously against any potential threats…”
The commander of the army’s air defense force pointed out that though air defense is successful and anonymous has been established within the armed forces, he added: “Air defense is a manifestation of the power of Islamic Iran, which under the shadow of self-belief and self-confidence for Iran was able to reach important developments for Iran and Iranians to be proud of today…”
“رونمایی از انواع سامانههای راداری، موشکی، جنگالی و پهپادی در آینده نزدیک (Unveiling of various radar, missile, forestry and drone systems in the near future),” Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (state broadcaster), 11 June 2024. https://www.iribnews.ir/00HrNy
According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), Brigadier General [Alireza] Sabahifard during his continued visit of the region’s air defense in the northwest of the country, evaluated the combat capability and operational readiness of the radar and missile positions of the “Shahid Nikandish” Tabriz group.
The commander of the Army’s Air Defense Force, referring to the effective role of air defense in improving the combat power of the armed forces, added: “Radars, missiles, electronic warfare, and drone systems will be unveiled in the near future and integrated into the country’s air defense cycle.”
Notes:
[i] Jon Gambrell, “Satellite photos suggest Iran air defense radar struck in Isfahan during apparent Israeli attack,” Associated Press, 22 April 2024. https://apnews.com/article/iran-israel-s300-radar-hit-isfahan-attack-ce6719d3df8ebf5af08b035427ee215c
[ii] “Iran says Israel bombs its embassy in Syria, kills commanders,” Reuters, 1 April 2024. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-bombs-iran-embassy-syria-iranian-commanders-among-dead-2024-04-01/; Matthew Mpoke Bigg, “What We Know About Iran’s Attack on Israel and What Happens Next,” New York Times, 14 April 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/14/world/middleeast/iran-israel-drones-attack.html
OE Insight Summary:
Following ISR’s attack, IRN Army Air Defense Force Commander Brigadier General Alireza Sabahifard visited the northwest region to assess its air defense capabilities.
Image Information:
Image: “Brigadier General [Alireza] Sabahifard visiting the radar and missile positions in Tabriz,” IRIB (state media broadcaster), 11 June 2024.
Source: https://www.iribnews.ir/00HrNy
Attribution: CCA-SA 4.0 Intl.