Title: Strategic Foresight: How Principled Leadership Forged Iran’s Missile and Drone Prowess
In an illuminating interview, the late Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh, former commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force, detailed the strategic vision and direct oversight that propelled Iran’s defense industry to global ranks. The discussion, held just days before his martyrdom, highlighted the pivotal role of the nation’s leadership in achieving self-sufficiency.
The Foundation of Technological Advancement
General Hajizadeh traced the roots of Iran’s advanced missile and drone capabilities back to the principled leadership and meticulous guidance of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution. He emphasized that this support was evident even before His Eminence assumed the nation’s leadership, during the period of the imposed war in the 1980s.
“Many sectors of our armed forces are truly at the cutting edge of technology, placing Iran among the world’s top-tier countries,” Hajizadeh stated. “In the region, many sectors, including missiles and drones, are at a global standard. This is not accidental; it has been achieved under the leadership of His Eminence.”
A Defining Moment of Strategic Independence
One of the most revealing anecdotes from the interview concerned a critical juncture following the collapse of the Soviet Union. In the early 1990s, newly independent republics were offering Scud-B missiles for a mere $10,000 each. For a nation that had paid $2.5 million per missile during the war—a staggering 250 times the price—this seemed an unmissable opportunity.
“There was a unanimous consensus at all command levels to purchase these missiles,” Hajizadeh recalled. “It was an exceptional occurrence for everyone to agree.” However, when they sought final approval, the Leader firmly rejected the proposal. “We were all shocked,” the General admitted.
The reasoning, which became clear with time, was a masterstroke of long-term strategy. Domestic scientists were on the verge of a breakthrough in indigenous missile technology. Acquiring the cheap foreign missiles would have undoubtedly stunted this burgeoning program. “If the Leader had agreed, this abundance of missiles was essentially free… and no one would have pursued domestic production anymore,” Hajizadeh explained. “It wouldn’t have stopped completely, but it would have been set back by at least five or six years.”
Hands-On Leadership and Precision
The General painted a picture of a leader deeply and personally engaged in the technical and ethical dimensions of the nation’s defense. He described how, even during operations against terrorist groups like Daesh, the Leader’s primary concern was the protection of civilians.
“[The Leader] would say, ‘Make sure your missile does not miss and harm civilians,'” Hajizadeh shared. He recounted an instance where, shortly after an operation, the Leader inquired about its precision from several meters away, before even formal greetings were exchanged, demonstrating the paramount importance he placed on accurate and responsible military action.
This hands-on approach extended to all fields, from missile tests to satellite launches, where the Leader often demanded real-time reports directly from the field, bypassing standard bureaucratic delays.
Driving Innovation and Providing Unwavering Support
General Hajizadeh also credited the leadership for the revitalization of Iran’s drone program, which had been neglected after the war. “His Eminence strongly emphasized drones and reprimanded many commanders for not pursuing their production with priority,” he said. This insistence led to a flourishing of the sector in the 2000s, incorporating advanced technologies like artificial intelligence.
Furthermore, the Commander highlighted the unwavering support provided in the face of domestic opposition to various defense projects. “There were inevitably opponents within the country who objected to some of our work… but the Leader of the Revolution was our supporter.”
In conclusion, General Hajizadeh’s testimony underscores a consistent narrative: that Iran’s ascent as a developer and exporter of advanced defense technology, achieved despite severe sanctions, is directly linked to strategic foresight, principled decision-making, and the continuous, detailed guidance of its leadership.