Iran's Readiness for Long-Term War

The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces said: While we are prepared, we are not interested in starting a regional war, and although the targets of the fire of a regional war are the aggressors, in any case, it will set back the development of the region for years, and the consequences will be borne by the United States and the Zionist regime.

News ID: 87368

Date: 08 February 2026 - 13:15

TEHRAN (Defapress) - In a meeting with a group of commanders and personnel of the Air Force and Air Defense Forces on the occasion of February 8, Air Force Day, Major General Seyyed Abdolrahim Mousavi congratulated the Shabaniyeh and Fajr festivals and considered the presence in this ceremony a divine success.

Referring to the historical importance of February 7, he called this day a reminder of the "divine choice" and the changing of the course of history by the Army Air Force, and said: "On that day, the revolutionary sons of the Iranian nation in the Air Force bravely and consciously pledged allegiance to Imam Khomeini (RA) and changed the course of service from the tyrant to Islam."

The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces emphasized that this allegiance was not an allegiance to a person, but rather an allegiance to the ideals and the holy jihad under the command of the late Imam. He called February 8 a living, inspiring, and honorable event, adding: "Every pilot who flies with authority in the skies of Iran today is a son of that historic allegiance."

Referring to the performance of the Air Force during the eight years of the Sacred Defense, Major General Mousavi stated that the force proved that it can overcome any enemy with faith and determination without the presence of foreign advisors. He also referred to the period after the Sacred Defense and said: “The war of sanctions and restrictions began, but the Iranian will was not defeated, and the Air Force became a knowledge-based force.”

The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, stating that “Iran is prepared for both a long-term war with the United States and for rational negotiations without irrational preconditions,” addressed the Air Force and said: “You see the face of a powerful Iran. A country that has both the authority and the necessary readiness for a long-term war with the United States and welcomes rational openings for negotiations without irrational preconditions.”

The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces clarified: While we are prepared, we are not really interested in starting a regional war; Although the targets of the regional war are the aggressors, in any case, the regional war will set back the progress and development of the region for years, and its consequences will be borne by the warmongers, namely the United States and the Zionist regime.

Major General Mousavi concluded by saying: After the imposed 12-day war, I have closely seen some of the activities of your dear ones, who worked day and night and non-stop in these few months to be more prepared than before to confront the enemy. Given the new missions that have been entrusted to you, do not miss a single moment. God willing, with the help of the Almighty God, you will succeed, and your name will be recorded alongside the heroes of "Kaman 99", "Attack on H-3", the heroes of the Faw, and great men such as the martyrs "Abbas Babaei", "Abbas Doran", and "Mansour Sattari".