General Safavi: At Least 16 Israeli Pilots Were Killed in Iran’s Missile Strikes
WANA (Sep 29) – The supreme military advisor to Iran’s Commander-in-Chief announced that at least 16 pilots of the Israeli regime were killed as a result of Iran’s missile strikes during the recent 12-day war.
Major General Seyyed Yahya Safavi referred to the recent 12-day battle with the Israeli regime and said: “Just as the United States and Israel failed to achieve their objectives in the Iran–Iraq War, they were also unsuccessful in this conflict. Meanwhile, despite its extensive relations with the United States and Israel, China supported Iran and the axis of resistance in its political positions, whereas the European Union took a stance against Iran.”
Israel suffered a strategic defeat
He added: “Israel pursued continuation of the war but ultimately suffered a strategic defeat and was forced to request a ceasefire through the United States — an action that demonstrates this regime’s inability to confront the capabilities of the axis of resistance.”
The supreme military advisor to the Commander-in-Chief emphasized: “The eight years of the Sacred Defense and the victory in the 12-day war showed that the resistance of peoples and the steadfastness of the resistance front can upend the calculations of global powers and bring dignity and security to the Islamic Republic of Iran and to the region’s oppressed nations.”
Beersheba, Israel, after Iranian missile strikes, 24 June 2025 / WANA News Agency
At the same time, Sardar Rahim Safavi, pointing to intelligence shortcomings in this war, stressed the necessity of strengthening internal cohesion and enhancing the country’s defensive and offensive capabilities in all arenas.
Major General Rahim Safavi, referring to the strategic role of the Supreme Leader in managing the country during the 12-day war, said: “His Excellency exercised special guidance and management across political, military, and social dimensions of this event, the effects of which became clearly visible.”
He stated that more than 500 missiles were launched at the occupied territories during this war and added: “These attacks dealt extensive damage to Israeli installations in Haifa and other areas, with the regime’s refineries, power plants, and research centers being targeted.”
Major General Safavi continued: “During the missile strikes on the Israeli pilot training center, at least 16 Israeli pilots were killed. However, the occupying regime is preventing the publication of details about the damage and casualties sustained during the 12-day war.”
The Second Round of Iranian Missile Strikes on Occupied Territories in Day Three of the Iran-Israel War, June 15, 2025. Social media/ WANA News Agency
The force of Iran’s missile impacts caused something like an earthquake
Referring to an account from a resident of the occupied territories, he said: “The impact of some missiles was so intense that they acted like an earthquake, causing destruction across an area with a radius of three kilometers.”
The supreme military advisor to the Commander-in-Chief recalled: “At the outset of this battle we were deceived and taken by surprise, which indicates a weakness in strategic intelligence and requires serious strengthening in this field.”
He noted: “Today, consolidating society in economic, political, and social spheres must be put on the agenda, and the bond between the government and the people should be strengthened more than ever.”
Major General Safavi, stressing the need to raise the country’s defensive and offensive capabilities, added: “The best defense is offense, and if we want peace we must be prepared for war; because if we are strong the enemy will not come after us — and that strength is not limited to military power but must also be achieved within the country’s domestic spheres.”
