Ghalibaf: Iran Achieved a Decade of Military Progress in 15 Months
WANA (Sep 01) – Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has outlined the country’s post-conflict military situation, saying that Iran’s armed forces have made unprecedented progress in rebuilding and strengthening their capabilities over the past 15 months.
He said the experience gained from recent conflicts, along with the development of domestic technologies, has created a new situation in the regional balance of power.
In his first video address to the public, Ghalibaf focused on four main areas — military affairs, diplomacy, the economy, and domestic conditions — emphasizing that Iran has accelerated efforts to restore and expand its defense capabilities following recent confrontations.
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A Decade of Military Progress in 15 Months
Ghalibaf said the experience gained by Iran’s armed forces during recent conflicts has significantly improved their operational capabilities.
“During every period of war, we acted better, more accurately, and more effectively than before,” he said.
The parliament speaker added that the process of rebuilding military equipment, strengthening offensive capabilities, and expanding air defense systems is underway, attributing this progress to Iran’s reliance on domestic technology.
According to Ghalibaf, Iran’s defense industries and armed forces are relying on internal capacities rather than foreign assistance, with Iranian youth playing a key role in developing these technologies.
Referring to the past 15 months, he said: “If I say that during these 15 months, when we were involved in nearly two wars, we achieved progress and a leap equivalent to a decade of development, based on the information I have, it would not be an exaggeration.”
An Iranian missile system is displayed in Azadi Square in Tehran, Iran, July 30, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
Rebuilding Missile Capabilities and Changing Deterrence Dynamics
Ghalibaf also addressed Iran’s missile capabilities, saying that the armed forces have continued rebuilding their capacities without interruption following the end of hostilities.
“The armed forces use every opportunity they are given to rebuild their capabilities and do not waste even hours or moments,” he said.
The parliament speaker also referred to strikes against US bases in the region after the ceasefire, describing them as carrying a “strategic message” and saying they demonstrated the continued importance of Iran’s missile capabilities in regional security calculations.
He added that efforts to reduce Iran’s missile capabilities have not produced the expected results for some parties, arguing that Iran’s continued military activity shows that its missile capacity remains a central element of its deterrence strategy.
Ghalibaf said that in any future confrontation, Iran would be in a different position in terms of quantity, quality, operational precision, and military planning.
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Strait of Hormuz: The Main Focus of Security Competition in the Gulf
A major part of Ghalibaf’s remarks focused on the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway through which a significant portion of global energy shipments passes.
He said security conditions in the strait remain affected by regional military and political developments and that Iran’s armed forces play a central role in maintaining the situation there.
Ghalibaf noted that before the war, around 120 vessels passed through the strait every day, saying the sharp reduction in maritime traffic under current conditions reflects a significant change in the security environment.
“If the control of the strait was in the hands of the other side, there would be no need to repeat this claim every day,” he said.
He also stressed that Iran would not allow countries outside the coastal states of the strait to play a decisive role in its management.
A man holds an Iranian flag near an anti-U.S. billboard depicting U.S. President Donald Trump and the Strait of Hormuz, in Tehran, Iran, May 30, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
Iran-Oman Agreement on Managing the Strategic Waterway
Ghalibaf referred to the recent agreement between Iran and Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz, saying that management of the waterway should be based on cooperation between coastal states.
He said Iran and Oman, as the two countries bordering the strait, have the primary role in its management frameworks, adding that the agreement between Tehran and Muscat is part of a new security and diplomatic approach toward the waterway.
He emphasized that this process is being pursued alongside maintaining Iran’s military capabilities, with Tehran seeking to strengthen both its defense posture and diplomatic channels.
The importance of the Strait of Hormuz extends beyond security issues. As one of the world’s most important energy transit routes, any disruption there could affect global oil markets, maritime trade, and the regional economy.
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Warning About a “Hybrid War”: From Economic Pressure to Media Operations
Ghalibaf described the current situation as a multi-layered confrontation involving not only the military sphere but also economic and media dimensions.
He said economic pressure and psychological operations have become major components of the ongoing tensions following recent military developments.
The parliament speaker stressed that Iran must maintain internal cohesion and prevent divisions while facing these challenges.
He also warned that any escalation of economic or maritime pressure against Iran would be met with an appropriate response.
People walk near a billboard depicting U.S. President Donald Trump on a building in Tehran, Iran, August 31, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)
Tehran’s Message for the Future: Continued Expansion of Defense Capabilities
Ghalibaf concluded by saying that Iran’s armed forces and defense industries have not halted their efforts to strengthen national capabilities.
He praised commanders and military personnel across different branches, including aerospace, naval, and operational units, saying that Iran’s defense readiness continues to increase.
Ghalibaf’s remarks come as security in the Persian Gulf, the status of the Strait of Hormuz, the role of the United States in the region, and the future of Tehran’s relations with international actors remain among the most significant security issues in the Middle East.
