The Iranian Army Air Force’s capacities are preserved and combat-ready, says the executive deputy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, vowing that the armed forces keep “fingers on the trigger” to respond to any level of enemy threat.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 25th Sacred Defense Conference of Martyr Sayyad Shirazi at Shahid Sattari Air University, Brigadier General Alireza Sheikh drew attention to the enduring legacy of Iran’s aerial prowess, drawing parallels between the heroic tactics of the Iran-Iraq War and the current defensive posture.

“Military forces operate in war based on principles, logic, technique, and tactics.”

“The sacred Air Force of the Islamic Republic of Iran preserved its organizational capacities in this war through principled tactics suited to the threat, and through the bravery of its pilots, it was able to create scenes that disrupted enemy estimates.”

Legacy of Martyr Majid Kazemi

Honoring the memory of legendary figures in Iran’s aviation history, General Sheikh specifically paid tribute to Martyr Majid Kazemi and his fellow aviators, whose daring and innovative strategies redefined modern aerial combat.

“The transformation that these dear ones brought about in aerial tactics will definitely be recorded in history and taught in world universities as an asymmetric tactic.”

During the US-Israeli imposed wars of recent years, Martyr Kazemi and his colleagues executed heroic aerial operations that stunned technologically superior adversaries.

‘True heroes’: Iran’s Army chief hails martyred pilot who struck US bases

Iran’s Army chief has issued a tribute to Brigadier General Majid Kazemi, a brave Su-24 fighter pilot who was martyred alongside three of his valiant crewmates during a bold operation against US military bases in the region.

By identifying and striking the singular vulnerability of an ostensibly invincible enemy, Iranian pilots successfully neutralized advanced enemy radar networks, air defense systems, and strategic assets, proving that technological asymmetry can be overcome with creative and fearless strategy, the general said.

“Thank God, the Air Force has received a passing score in this field, which will definitely be addressed in world military academies in the future.”

The remarks serve as a direct rebuke to repeated claims made by Donald Trump, the US president, and other Western military officials.

Throughout the recent wars, Trump has frequently boasted about having completely ‘annihilated’ Iran’s military capabilities, famously declaring that “Iran’s Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone.”

The realities on the ground, however, tell a totally separate story.

Eagle’s final flight: How Martyr Kazemi and other Su-24 pilots struck at the heart of US air power

Iran’s Su-24 pilots, including Martyr Majid Kazemi, struck the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar during a retaliatory operation in early March, exploiting gaps in missile defenses to demonstrate that superior skill and tactical innovation can penetrate even the world’s most heavily fortified military installations.

Iranian military officials have consistently dismissed these claims as psychological warfare and political grandstanding.

General Sheikh underscored that the Air Force, through wisdom and the careful protection of its assets, has ensured its readiness for any future confrontations.

“We, military personnel, never analyze threats politically,” Sheikh said, quoting the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini.

“Our duty as military personnel is to be ready for defense. The Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Armed Forces are 100% ready to respond to the enemy at any level of threat, and are now fingers on the trigger, ready to fulfill our duty.”