Iran’s army chief Major General Amir Hatami has declared Iran victorious in the recent conflict, saying the “enemy” failed to achieve its strategic and tactical objectives despite its extensive military capabilities.
Speaking on Friday at a ceremony in Rasht commemorating army personnel killed in the conflict in Gilan province, Hatami said the enemy had attempted to destroy Iran’s missile and drone capabilities.
However, Iran continued firing its missiles and drones at the enemy “with full intensity until the final moment”, he said, according to Iran’s Fars news agency.
Hatami said that under military logic, an aggressor is considered victorious when it achieves its objectives. In a defensive war, he said, the failure of the enemy to achieve its goals means the defender has won.
Hatami said the enemy had specifically sought to destroy Iran’s missile and drone capabilities but had failed to destroy them.
He also said Iranian air defence “stood firm” during the fighting and claimed that it damaged a number of enemy unmanned and manned aircraft as well as strategic military equipment.
Hatami rejected claims that Iran’s armed forces had been destroyed.
“The enemy claims it has eliminated Iran’s armed forces, while they themselves know the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran have always stood against enemies with authority, initiative, creativity and courage,” he said.
He did not provide details on the number or type of aircraft or strategic military equipment he said had been damaged.
The army chief also praised what he described as growing unity among the Iranian people.
He said national cohesion was increasing “day by day” under the leadership of Iran’s Supreme Leader.
Hatami added that Iran’s government, parliament, judiciary, armed forces and security bodies were continuing to serve the public and operate at full capacity.
The army chief did not identify the “enemy” by name in the remarks reported by Fars.
