“The air defense [of the Iranian Army] is fully prepared to deal with any aggression or possible threats by enemies,” Commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili told reporters on Tuesday.
“Today the Armed Forces, including the air defense, have increased their capability to counter any possible aggression by the enemies, and as they proved during the eight-year imposed war [with Iraq] they are steadfast in countering the enemies’ hostile policies,” he added.
Pointing to the US RQ-170 drone that was captured by the Iranian forces in late 2011, Esmaili said by using a radar capable of detecting this aircraft, the Army’s air defense has showed its power to repel any violation of the country’s territory.
He, however, stressed that Iran’s policy was defensive not offensive, adding that the Islamic Republic does not pose a threat to other countries.
The US RQ-170 Sentinel stealth aircraft was downed, with minimal damage, by the Iranian Army's electronic warfare unit on December 4, 2011 while flying over the Iranian city of Kashmar, some 140 miles (225km) from the Afghan border.
The RQ-170 is an unmanned stealth aircraft designed and developed by the Lockheed Martin Company.
On Tuesday, Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) captured a US ScanEagle drone over the Persian Gulf waters upon its intrusion into the Iranian airspace.
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