WANA (Nov 02) – A senior Iranian military official said the country’s younger generation is calling for stronger defense capabilities and a larger missile arsenal — a shift he described as a response to regional conflicts and external pressures.

 

Hossein Taeb, an advisor to the commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), stated that “today, Generation Z in Iran says we need more missiles and a stronger defense system.” He portrayed this trend as evidence of growing public awareness and social resilience among young Iranians.

 

According to Taeb, recent regional confrontations, including Israel’s latest military campaign, have strengthened rather than weakened Iran’s internal cohesion. He claimed that “the United States and Israel failed to undermine Iran’s defense or social structure,” adding that “in the recent conflict, they couldn’t hit a single missile base.” Taeb said Iran had achieved “major intelligence and operational successes” in countering attacks.

An Iranian missile is displayed during the 46th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution in Tehran, Iran, February 10, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)

He explained that a series of missile strikes known as “True Promise” were conducted in three stages — extending missile range, carrying out precision strikes, and demonstrating destructive capability. According to Taeb, these operations were not only military actions but also messages of deterrence aimed at preserving Iran’s balance of power in the region.

 

The IRGC advisor warned that Western powers are attempting to “recreate political polarization” by framing countries as either “pro-Western” or “revolutionary,” a move he said is intended to deepen divisions within Iran and among its neighbors.

 

Taeb also claimed that during the latest regional confrontation, Iran indirectly faced “at least 30 countries and around 80 intelligence services” but managed to maintain its operational stability.

 

His remarks reflect Tehran’s evolving view of national security and deterrence — one in which Iran’s younger generation, contrary to common assumptions, appears more concerned about insufficient defense capability than about the costs of military spending.