Iran to Boost Military Defenses

Brig. Gen. Mohammad Hejazi, IRGC deputy commander, said in Tehran today that US inability to confront Iran’s military defenses was the major cause for Obama administration’s policy of change toward Iran.

“When they recognized that they cannot confront [Iran’s military defenses], they started speaking of the policy of change, and this indicates the mightiness of the Islamic Republic and the capabilities and power of our armed forces,” Gen. Hejazi said. [IRNA, 4 April]

The Iranian military has been active in setting up defenses against possible military attacks on the country, especially against an Israeli air attack on its nuclear installations.

Last month, the Iranian military set up a new Air Defense Command, headed by former IRIAF commander Brig. Gen. Ahmad Miqani. The new structure brings all air defense systems belonging to the military as well as the IRGC under a unified command.

The establishment of the Air Defense Command comes amid concerns raised by senior US military officials that Israel might take military actions against Iran’s nuclear installations.

The commander of Israeli military, Gen. Gaby Ashkenazi, was reported yesterday to have arrived in Strasbourg, France, for a meeting with the visiting President Obama. The US has been trying hard to dissuade Israel from taking military actions against Iran. Instead, the Obama administration is favoring the use of tough economic sanctions coupled with active diplomacy to stop or limit Iran’s uranium enrichment program.