WANA (Mar 11) – A senior advisor to the commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says the country possesses advanced military capabilities—particularly in missile and naval technologies—some of which have not yet been deployed in combat.

 

Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, advisor to the IRGC commander-in-chief and a member of the military’s “war command room,” outlined the current state of Iran’s defense capabilities and strategic posture in a recent interview.

 

Fadavi said Iran has developed a range of advanced weapons systems, including various types of missiles, torpedoes, and underwater missiles. Some of these systems, he noted, can reach speeds of around 100 meters per second—a level of performance that, according to him, the United States has been unable to achieve despite spending approximately $20 billion over 15 years.

 

“These capabilities have not yet been used,” he said, adding that they would be deployed if necessary.

 

Fadavi argued that the nature of the conflict facing Iran in 2026 differs significantly from previous decades. For the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, he said, the United States has become directly involved in confrontation with Iran, whereas in the past it had largely relied on proxy actors.

 

Rejecting repeated claims by U.S. officials that Iran’s missile capabilities have been weakened, Fadavi said the country’s missile program has in fact advanced to a new stage of precision and destructive power. He claimed that Iran now relies on “smart missiles” equipped with heavier warheads and high-precision targeting systems.

Bunting of Iranian flags next to a missile on display during the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Tehran, Iran February 11, 2026. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

According to Fadavi, Iranian commanders have stated that missiles with warheads weighing less than one ton are no longer used in operations, reflecting a qualitative shift in the country’s military strategy.

 

He also highlighted Iran’s asymmetric warfare doctrine, particularly in the maritime domain. According to Fadavi, this strategy has significantly limited the operational freedom of U.S. forces in the Persian Gulf, forcing American naval assets to operate at greater distances from Iran’s coastline while relying more heavily on air power.

 

Fadavi pointed to the final years of the Iran–Iraq War as the formative period for Iran’s asymmetric naval strategy. At the time, he said, Iran’s naval forces had only basic equipment, such as small boats armed with 107-millimeter rockets. Today, however, he claimed that Iran has achieved broad self-sufficiency in producing a wide range of weapons systems and missile technologies.

 

He also referred to progress in Iran’s drone and air-defense programs, saying unmanned aerial vehicles are now produced and operated across all branches of Iran’s armed forces. Iran’s integrated air defense network, jointly operated by the army and the IRGC, has also improved its ability to intercept hostile drones, he said.

 

Fadavi further argued that the widespread presence of U.S. military bases across the Middle East—particularly in countries such as Bahrain and Yemen—makes American forces more vulnerable rather than more secure. He suggested that further incidents involving U.S. personnel in the region could emerge in the near future.

 

Discussing the broader strategic environment, he emphasized the geopolitical importance of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, noting that roughly 40 percent of global oil exports pass through the narrow waterway.

 

Fadavi concluded by saying Iran will continue expanding its military capabilities, including in land-to-land missiles, naval cruise missiles, and maritime defense systems. The ultimate goal, he said, is to strengthen deterrence to the point that no adversary would even consider launching an attack against the country.