Iran will develop its air defense potential in proportion to the enemy's capabilities, says a commander at the Iranian Army's Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense base. Brigadier General Abbas Ameri, who was speaking in a joint gathering of the commanders of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and Iran's Army on Sunday, pointed to the enemy's capabilities in the field of information and said that Iran also gained invaluable experience during the eight-year Iraqi imposed war (1980-88). He said Iran's air defense prides itself on downing many enemy aircraft during the battle; the commander was quoted as saying in an IRNA report. It should be noted, however, that future wars would be different, he added. Iran's Khatam al-Anbia Air Defense Base convened the first joint meeting of the airspace defense commanders of the IRGC and the Army for the further coordination and cooperation of the country's air defense forces. “We should disrupt the information system of the enemy and make efforts to fight against the global arrogance through the unity among the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and [Iran's] Army," Brigadier General Ameri said during the Sunday meeting. In line with the country's plans to enhance its air defense capabilities, the Army's air defense base started the four-day exercises codenamed Tharallah near the strategic Persian Gulf region on February 20. Iran maintains that its military drills are defensive in nature and meant to convey a message of peace and friendship to regional countries. Tehran has also sent a public invitation to regional states to engage in joint naval drills with Iranian forces.
