Iran says it can strike US warships enforcing naval blockade

Iran has rejected US claims that its military lacks the capability to strike American warships involved in the naval blockade against the country. Acting Defence Minister Brigadier General Majid Ibn Reza made the remarks in an interview with Iranian state broadcaster IRIB on Monday, responding to assertions by US officials that Tehran did not have the means to target vessels enforcing the blockade. The official said that Iran’s armed forces have the technology and readiness to target American warships participating in the naval blockade imposed against the Iranian nation. Asked whether Iran had the technology and capability to strike the warships, Ibn Reza responded: “God willing, you will see, you will see the results. ” Iranian officials have repeatedly condemned US sanctions and maritime restrictions as violations of the country’s sovereignty and international law, and have vowed to resist pressure from Washington. The comments come amid heightened regional tensions following the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran earlier this year. Tehran has increasingly highlighted its domestically developed defence capabilities, including missiles, drones and air defence systems. Separately, Brigadier General Alireza Elhami, commander of Iran’s Khatam Al Anbiya Joint Air Defence Headquarters, said on Monday that weapons developed domestically during the conflict were now being mass-produced. “The equipment produced [inside Iran] passed a successful test during that conflict, and now they are being rapidly mass-produced to be deployed across the entire expanse of the Islamic Republic of Iran, ” Elhami said, according to remarks published by Tasnim news agency. Iran has previously said its anti-ship missiles, drones and other weapons can threaten naval assets operating in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, underscoring Tehran’s efforts to strengthen its deterrence capabilities amid continuing confrontation with Washington.

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