Iranian commander boasts naval strength

Commander-in-Chief of Iran's Armed Forces, Amir Hatami, has issued a defiant statement regarding the strength of the Iranian Air Force. He directly responded to claims of its destruction, asserting that during the recent visit of Pakistan's army chief, Iran provided an aerial escort with twice the number of planes offered by the guest's side. Hatami sarcastically dismissed the notion that Iran's fleet of MiG-29s and F-4s constitutes its entire air force, implying these older aircraft are worn out and that the guest's safety was better assured by Iran's own capabilities. The remarks appear to be a direct rebuttal to Western assessments of Iran's military readiness amid heightened regional tensions.