Nournews: Iran today stands on the firm shoulders of a generation of commanders and managers who, during the most difficult periods of contemporary history, charted the course of the country’s defense independence. Among these figures, the names of martyrs Chamran, Fakouri, Namjoo, Shamkhani, and Nasirzadeh shine more prominently than others as defense ministers who played decisive roles in shaping the foundations of military self-sufficiency.
During the early years of the Sacred Defense, Iran faced severe equipment shortages and dependence on minimal military resources—conditions that even made the procurement of basic items such as barbed wire a significant challenge. Nevertheless, the adoption of an approach based on self-reliance, strategic resource management, and reliance on domestic human capacities gradually paved the way for transformation in the country’s defense industries.
This transformation was not merely a gradual advancement; rather, it led to the formation of an integrated defense ecosystem that today encompasses a wide range of advanced technologies in the fields of missiles, aerospace, naval systems, electronic warfare, and intelligent systems. The role of the Ministry of Defense in guiding this process—particularly in linking research, industrial, and operational sectors—has been among the key factors behind the realization of these achievements.
Among these developments, the missile and drone capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran have assumed a special and decisive position as one of the principal pillars of deterrent power. The development of various generations of ballistic, cruise, and precision-guided missiles with different ranges and levels of accuracy, alongside the design and production of diverse reconnaissance, combat, and loitering drones, has created a multilayered structure of offensive and defensive capability.
These capacities, benefiting from indigenous technologies and continuous advancements in areas such as guidance systems, stealth features, and electronic warfare, have turned Iran into one of the influential actors in emerging military equations and have significantly enhanced its ability to respond rapidly, precisely, and effectively to threats.
As a result of this multi-decade trajectory, Iran has reached a level of capability in which it not only meets its own defense needs domestically but also possesses the capacity to design and produce complex and strategic systems. These capabilities, embodied in an active deterrence doctrine, have increased the country’s room for maneuver in the face of external threats.
The effectiveness of these strategic achievements has also been clearly demonstrated in operational arenas and in confronting real threats. During the twelve-day war, as well as in the continuation of the U.S.–Zionist imposed war that began against Iran on February 28, 2025, the country’s missile and drone capabilities have played a pivotal role in altering the balance of power.
The execution of swift and precise strikes against strategic targets in Tel Aviv, Haifa, and other sensitive locations, alongside the targeting of U.S. military bases in the West Asia region—particularly in countries along the southern Persian Gulf—demonstrates the high level of operational readiness and intelligence accuracy of these systems.
Reports also indicate the destruction or disabling of a range of advanced enemy equipment, including stealth fighter jets such as the F-35, combat and support aircraft, drones, attack helicopters, and radar systems, suggesting that these capabilities have been able to pose serious challenges even to some of the world’s most advanced military forces. Altogether, these developments signal shifts in the balance on the battlefield and indicate confusion and attrition in the operational capacity of opposing forces.
Within such a framework, “deterrence” is no longer merely a theoretical concept; rather, it is defined as an operational reality grounded in technological capability and the field readiness of the armed forces. This capacity has enabled Iran to adopt an active and initiative-based approach when confronting powerful international actors.
Overall, what is recognized today as Iran’s defense strength is the result of a continuous process of investment in knowledge, experience, and specialized human resources—a process rooted in the dedication and strategic vision of martyr defense ministers and one that continues, based on the same principles, along a path of development and evolution.