TEHRAN: Iranian Army Deputy Commander Brigadier General Mohammad Hossein Dadras said on Thursday that Iran’s armed forces were stronger and more prepared than ever following military confrontations with the United States and Israel.
Dadras said Iranian troops had maintained their strength despite attacks against the country’s leadership and military commanders.
He argued that Iran’s resistance had frustrated its adversaries’ expectations of a rapid victory. The commander claimed Iran’s enemies had expected to achieve their objectives within a week.
However, he maintained that the country’s military and civilian population had continued to resist external pressure. Speaking about Iran’s military preparedness, Dadras described the armed forces as “more prepared than any time before”.
He also criticised US and Israeli military operations, accusing both countries of targeting civilians during regional conflicts.
Dadras referred to the February 28 strike on Shajareh Tayyebeh School in Minab, southern Iran, which Iranian reports attributed to a US missile.
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Iranian accounts put the death toll at 168 people, including 120 students and 26 teachers. They reported that more than 110 others suffered injuries.
The commander also cited civilian deaths in Gaza while condemning what he described as the conduct of Iran’s adversaries.
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Meanwhile, Dadras argued that modern military equipment alone could not guarantee national security or political independence.
He criticised regional governments that depend heavily on foreign military support, suggesting that advanced weapons offered little protection without independent defensive capabilities.
Dadras further praised the Iranian public for maintaining solidarity during the confrontations. He urged Muslim countries to strengthen their unity, arguing that regional cooperation could help counter external threats.
