The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has inducted hundreds of reconnaissance and offensive drones as well as artificial intelligence (AI)-powered ballistic missiles among other state-of-the-art equipment, state media reported on Saturday.
The IRGC has said that the new ballistic missiles have a range of 300 to 1,000 kilometers.
The other equipment received by the IRGC Navy includes radar-equipped cruise missiles and command systems, intelligence-gathering systems and electronic warfare equipment.
The domestically-manufactured equipment has been co-developed by the country’s defense ministry, the IRGC and local companies, according to official media.
The equipment induction ceremony was attended by IRGC Navy Chief Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, who told the gathering of senior defense officials that a key part of Tehran’s military power was “invisible” to its “enemies”.
Tangsiri said that the new weapons systems constituted a “major and effective step” in expanding the IRGC Navy’s capabilities.
He said that the AI-powered missiles could be prepared to be “launched instantly” and hit enemy targets from “various directions”.
Iran’s Rising Tensions with US
Tensions between Iran and the US have been rising since the Pentagon announced last month that it was dispatching warships and marine reinforcements to the US Central Command (CENTCOM), which is based in the region, to counter Iran in the Persian Gulf.
Additionally, the US has also reportedly sent F-35 and F-16 fighter jets to the region.
"Through these actions, the United States is demonstrating commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation and deterring Iranian destabilization activities in the region," a Pentagon statement said.