Iran Capable Of Striking 5Th-Generation Fighter Jets, Says Air Defense Chief

(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 4. Iran is now capable of targeting both 4th and 5th-generation fighter jets, the commander of the country's Air Defense (AD) Joint Headquarters, Lieutenant General Alireza Elhami, told reporters, Trend reports.

Elhami stated that Iran's AD systems can also intercept modern unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) using newly developed domestic technologies.

He noted that since February 28, more than 160 UAVs have been shot down over Iranian territory, including models such as“MQ-9,” “Hermes,” and“Lucas.”

On February 28, the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran, striking major cities, including Tehran. The White House cited missile and nuclear threats originating from the Islamic Republic as justification for the attacks. The strikes reportedly killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with several other senior officials. In response, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a large-scale retaliatory operation against Israel and has targeted U.S. facilities across Bahrain, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Syria using ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones.

The conflict has placed the region's energy infrastructure and maritime shipping under serious threat. Due to security tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, global oil prices have risen significantly. Iran fully controls the Strait of Hormuz and allows passage only to vessels it deems necessary.

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