Iran’s new top military commander, Major General Ali Abdollahi, has asserted that the nation’s armed forces are more prepared than at any time in their history. This declaration, however, comes as Abdollahi himself replaces two predecessors killed in recent Israeli strikes, raising questions about the claim’s validity.
Abdollahi was recently appointed to lead the Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, the unified command responsible for coordinating all branches of the Iranian military. In a statement, he praised the “sacred unity” of the Iranian people and denounced the “hostile objectives of the Zionist enemy and the United States.”
He accused the U.S. and Israel of attempting to “inflame the domestic atmosphere through psychological and media warfare,” a reference to international condemnation of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Abdollahi insisted that Iran’s armed forces now possess “greater and more advanced capabilities” to respond to future attacks.
Despite these pronouncements, analysts point to significant vulnerabilities in Iran’s military. The country’s air defense network has been degraded, reportedly forcing it to use older equipment pulled from storage to replace systems destroyed by Israeli strikes.
While Tehran frequently promotes its missile production, the program faces imminent and potentially crippling “snapback” sanctions. In August, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh announced that Tehran possesses missiles more advanced than those used in its recent 12-Day War with Israel. However, these weapons lack intercontinental range, leaving Iran incapable of striking targets beyond 2,000 miles.
Ultimately, Major General Abdollahi’s statements appear to be a strategic effort to project an image of strength and deterrence, rather than a reflection of the Iranian military’s current capabilities.
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