We Are Among the Top 7 Countries in the World in Defense Indicators

TEHRAN (Defapress) - Brigadier General Seyyed Hojjat Ghoreishi, Deputy Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, today at the 12th National Conference of the Heads of the Islamic Azad University Basij Professors' Associations, centered on academics, participation in investment, challenges, and solutions, being held in Mashhad, honored the anniversary of the liberation of Khorramshahr and described the operation as a turning point in the history of the Iranian nation's resistance. He stated: "A significant portion of the sacrifices made by the warriors in this great battle has yet to be properly conveyed to the people. Some martyrs were killed standing in the marshes around the Karun River, yet an accurate portrayal of this sacrifice has not been reflected in the media."

General Ghoreishi described the progress of the country's defense industry as one of the fruits of resistance and self-reliance, saying: "Iran has advanced from producing the Styrofoam drone with a range of 500 meters in the 1980s to manufacturing long-range drones. In the missile sector, the country has also achieved the production of diverse missiles in classes such as coast-to-sea, surface-to-surface, and surface-to-air with high precision and range."

He emphasized: "Today, Iran ranks among the world’s top 7 countries in some defense indicators. Destroyers, submarines, and advanced drones are among the capabilities that have been developed entirely domestically, without reliance on foreign powers."

Referring to strategic shifts in the nature of threats, he said: "Future wars will be based on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biological and cognitive threats. With a proper understanding of these changes, Iran is developing capabilities suited to the modern battlefield."

The Deputy Minister of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics added: "Unlike combat units, the Ministry of Defense focuses on research, industrial, and production fields, striving to meet the country's defense needs through knowledge-based production while fostering hope among the people."

General Ghoreishi, referring to recent negotiations and distrust toward Western parties, stated: "The leadership has clearly stated that there is little hope for the outcome of negotiations, as new sanctions during talks are not a sign of sincerity. Therefore, the armed forces, assuming the negotiations will not yield results, have focused on military deterrence."

Highlighting the role of the armed forces in facilitating Iran’s membership in international agreements such as the Shanghai Pact, BRICS, and Eurasia, he said: "Effective defense interactions have strengthened the country’s diplomatic space."