Commander: Thousands of Iranian long-range missiles await enemies

Thousands of Iran's long-range missiles will defend the Islamic Republic against its enemies, an Iranian commander said, Press TV reported.

Deputy Head of the Operations Department of the Iranian Armed Forces General Ali Shadmani said on Thursday, "We are waiting for an order by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution [Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei] to drop thousands of long-range missiles on enemies who have the evil thought of an invasion [of Iran]."

The enemies, equipped with advanced weaponry, seek an opportunity to carry out an act of aggression, but they even fear the idea of an invasion, the Iranian commander added.

The Israeli regime has repeatedly threatened to attack Iran's nuclear facilities based on the unfounded allegation that the Iranian nuclear energy program has been diverted toward military purposes.

Iran categorically rejects the allegation and says as a committed signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency, it has the right to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.

Also on Thursday, Deputy Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Brigadier General Hossein Salami praised Iran's achievements in its defensive capabilities and said the Islamic Republic was prepared to respond to 'any power.'

Over the past years, Iran has attained self-sufficiency in producing important military equipment and systems.

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly assured other nations, especially its neighbors, that its military might poses no threat to other countries, insisting that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence.

The IRGC commander also stated that the Iranian nation has proved that it is invincible and that sanctions, threats, and economic war could not undermine its determination.