WANA (Feb 19) – The commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force, Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, has stated that the issue of Palestine has become a global matter and that Israel has suffered a significant and irreversible strategic defeat.

 

General Hajizadeh emphasized that the current phase of regional developments began with the Al-Aqsa Storm operation, launched by Palestinian fighters. He described it as a turning point in West Asia, underscoring that while various historical developments have shaped the region, this latest event has inflicted an unprecedented blow on Israel.

 

A Strategic Defeat for Israel

According to Hajizadeh, the Israeli regime suffered defeats on intelligence, security, and military fronts, leading to a major loss of credibility. He remarked, “The image that Israel built over decades has now collapsed. Palestinian fighters dealt a strategic blow at the beginning of the conflict, and as the Supreme Leader predicted, this defeat is irreversible. Sixteen months later, the world has come to understand that this loss cannot be recovered.”

 

The IRGC commander further asserted that Israel had invested heavily in its security and military image but has now faced an unprecedented downfall. “Israel failed at the start of the Al-Aqsa Storm operation, failed in its objectives, failed in the prisoner exchange negotiations, and ultimately failed to achieve its declared goals.”

 

Hajizadeh noted that despite severe restrictions, Hamas has carried out numerous operations and suffered over 61,000 casualties, most of them women and children. However, he argued that these sacrifices have yielded significant achievements for the Islamic world, raising global awareness of Israeli actions. “This awakening was no small event,” he said. “While it was a heavy price for Palestine and the Muslim world, it led to a historic shift in consciousness.”

 

Iran’s Response to Israeli Aggression

The commander also addressed Israel’s attack on the Iranian consulate, calling it a miscalculated act based on the assumption that Iran would refrain from direct retaliation. “They misjudged our red lines, and in response, Operation True Promise was launched,” he said, referring to Iran’s large-scale retaliatory missile and drone attack.

 

He claimed that Iran’s operation marked the largest ballistic missile attack in history, as acknowledged even by Israeli and Western officials. “We have long possessed this capability for the defense of our people and our system, and when necessary, we used it,” he added.

 

Hajizadeh detailed the U.S. intervention, noting that Washington deployed four naval vessels to defend Israel, including two in the Mediterranean and two in the Red Sea, tasked with countering ballistic missile threats. “Despite their extensive defense network, 75% of our missiles hit their targets during True Promise 2, with the entire world witnessing the scale of our attack.”

 

Collapse of Israel’s Missile Defense System

He pointed out that Israel’s missile defense systems suffered a major failure. “Footage shows Israeli defenses scrambling, mistakenly targeting their own interceptor missiles, leading to self-inflicted damage,” he said. Reports indicate that more than 2,500 Israeli companies filed insurance claims for damages, many of which were caused by their own defense systems.

 

Highlighting the scale of Iran’s drone operations, Hajizadeh stated, “During True Promise 1, we launched around 150 drones. Even Western officials admitted it was the largest drone operation in history.” He noted that despite the combined aerial defense efforts of the U.S., UK, France, Jordan, and regional allies, Iran’s attack overwhelmed Israeli defenses. “They tried their best, but even an American F-15 pilot admitted that after 20 minutes of engagement, he had exhausted his missiles and was unable to continue.”

 

Iran Strengthens Its Defense Capabilities

Hajizadeh dismissed Western narratives that Iran had been weakened by recent conflicts, calling it part of a psychological warfare campaign. “Despite our victories, they attempt to portray Iran as weakened. But if we had sent 500 or even 1,000 drones instead of 150, what could they have done? We are powerful.”

 

He also revealed that Iran has been working to address gaps in its missile defense capabilities, particularly against ballistic threats. “For years, we have had defenses against drones, aircraft, and cruise missiles, but not against ballistic missiles. This is now changing. A project launched three years ago will see its first results next year, equipping Tehran and other major cities with anti-ballistic missile systems.”

 

The IRGC Aerospace commander concluded by reaffirming Iran’s commitment to strengthening its defense posture. “With the prayers of the Iranian people, we will soon achieve full defensive readiness in all domains.”