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Iran's IRGC claims developing stealth drones that 'can hit any vessel'

Iranian missiles and drones are believed to have been fired by its regional proxies against Israeli and international ships, as the scope of the Israel-Hamas war expands across the region.

Iranian drone "Mohajer 10" is displayed Iran's defence industry achievements exhibition, on Aug. 23, 2023 in Tehran.
An Iranian Mohajer 10 drone is displayed at Iran's defense industry achievements exhibition, on Aug. 23, 2023, in Tehran. — ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images

TEHRAN — Iran's Aerospace Force Commander Brig. Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh said on Thursday that Tehran-made stealth drones are capable of targeting any moving vessel within any range, as tensions at sea continue to heighten due to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. 

The naval forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are also "advanced enough" to successfully conduct reconnaissance operations at any point, according to Hajizadeh, whose comments were reported by the state broadcaster's IRIB news agency as he addressed officials at an IRGC exhibition in Tehran. 

Hajizadeh claimed that the Islamic Republic currently stands among the world's leading powers when it comes to defenses, including missile and drone technologies. "We have now reached a point where the terrorist military of the United States openly admits that it is not seeking a conflict with the Islamic Republic because it is unable to resist the Iranian defense prowess," he said. 

The statement was made as tensions continue to rise in the Red Sea, with Tehran-backed Houthi militants from Yemen targeting international vessels. The group says the attacks will continue as long as Israel is bombarding the Gaza Strip. The Houthis have suffered several rounds of strikes by the United States and the United Kingdom meant to destroy their combat capability.  

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