Tabnak – A short time after Iran announced plans for unveiling a new fighter jet and developing its missile program, it was announced that a new commander has been appointed for Iran’s Air Force. The moves indicate to the Islamic Republic’s plans for further developing its defense capabilities.
According to Press TV, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has appointed Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh as the new commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF).
In his decree on Sunday, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that the installation was made upon a proposal by commander of Iran's Army Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi and in view of the commitment and valuable work experience of Nasirzadeh.
Nasirzadeh, an F-14 Tomcat pilot and veteran of the 1980s Iraqi-imposed war on Iran, has been the Air Force’s acting commander since 2017.
The Leader urged Nasirzadeh to make efforts to train experienced pilots, use state-of-the-art equipment, improve training based on the transfer of scientific and technical know-how to youths and boost the combat preparedness of the forces.
Ayatollah Khamenei also thanked Brigadier General Hassan Shah Safi, who had previously held the post, for his great efforts and services.
The appointment comes just two days after it was announced that Iran woul unveil a new fighter jet and continue developing missile capabilities as a top priority. Iran’s defense minister pointed out to this issue on Saturday, defying new US sanctions aimed at curbing Tehran’s missile program and regional influence.
Brigadier General Amir Hatami said in a live TV program on Saturday that the fighter jet would fly on Wednesday, which marks Iran's Defense Industry Day. "Our focus has been on priorities, with the top priority being the missile issue,” he said. “We are in a good position in this field, but we need to develop it."
Hatami further touched on the recent unveiling of precision-guided ‘Fateh Mobin’ missile, stressing that Iranian missiles are good in terms of diversity and thus most attention has been paid to their agility, anti-radar capability, high precision and sustainability in different environmental conditions.
"We have never sought and will never seek weapons of mass destruction and nuclear weapons due to our religious beliefs and as stated by Leader of the Islamic Revolution [Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei], but we will not allow a violation of our interests and are looking for peace," he said.
In the same vein, Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi said on Saturday that “coastal and sea testing of the short range defense Kamand system were concluded successfully, and said this system was mounted ... on a warship and will be mounted on a second ship soon.”
All in all, it seems that Iran is now more than ever focused on developing its defense capabilities in different military fields. This makes sense especially with regard to the recent efforts of the United States to increase the pressures on the Islamic Republic. As such, it seems that Iran is becoming ready for any possible scenario in which, a kind of aggression may occur against the country, in order to effectively deter the possible aggressors.
