TEHRAN – Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi has said that the Iranian air defense units are adequately equipped to ward off possible aerial attacks by the enemy, dismissing views that Iran is vulnerable to airstrikes.

“The Iranian armed forces are powerful in the sky and our air defense capabilities suffice for defending the country,” Brigadier General Vahidi told Fars news agency on Saturdays.
“The enemies no longer dare to threaten us with attacks because they have realized that their threats are completely cut off from practical realities,” he said. “The Iranian armed forces will give a firm and crushing response to any possible aggression.”
Iran has recently announced that its air defense units have been equipped with the new generation of Mersad missile system.
The new generation of Mersad, which was unveiled recently, has a longer range and more destructive power, and can fly at higher altitude and hit modern aircrafts flying at low and medium altitudes. The Mersad system uses domestically manufactured Shahin missiles.
The Mersad missile system has been designed and manufactured by Iranian engineers.
Iran has also deployed enhanced air defense systems along the country’s borders and around the sensitive areas.