Iran’s defense minister boasts of newly developed missiles “far more powerful” than those fired in the recent conflict, warning Israel of devastating retaliation if hostilities resume.
Tensions in the Middle East are escalating once again as Iran’s Defense Minister, Aziz Nassirzadeh, announced Wednesday that Tehran has manufactured a new generation of missiles, ready for deployment against Israel in the event of renewed conflict.
“The missiles used in the 12-day war were manufactured years ago,” Nassirzadeh told state media. “Today, we have missiles with far greater capabilities, and if the Zionist enemy embarks on the adventure again, we will undoubtedly use them.”
The warning comes less than a month after Israel launched a surprise offensive on June 13, targeting Iran’s military and nuclear facilities. The US later expanded the campaign with strikes on Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan before brokering a ceasefire on June 24.
But Iranian leaders have dismissed the truce as anything but stable. Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref declared Monday that the country is “not in a ceasefire, but in a cessation of hostilities,” stressing the need for constant readiness.
Echoing this stance, IRGC commander Yahya Rahim Safavi bluntly stated that the current calm is “a stage of war, not peace,” and suggested that another round of fighting could soon erupt. “I think another war may happen,” he warned, “and after that, there may be no more wars.”
Adding fuel to the fire, Iranian media confirmed that the army will launch a two-day military exercise beginning Thursday, showcasing a new arsenal of short- and medium-range cruise missiles—an unmistakable signal to Israel and the US.
The rhetoric underscores a broader reality: despite the ceasefire, both sides are bracing for the next clash, with Iran determined to prove that its missile program is advancing faster than ever before.
