Iranian speaker denies US claim on missiles, mocks Iron Dome

Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf took to social media Wednesday to refute American claims that US military operations have crippled Iran's missile arsenal, asserting that Tehran's strike capabilities have actually grown more sophisticated. The remarks come as the US-Israeli campaign against Iran continues to intensify, with both sides trading blows across the region since Feb. 28.

"The US claims it has destroyed Iran's missile capacity," Ghalibaf stated in his post, directly challenging Washington's narrative of military success. He elaborated on Iranian tactical evolution, explaining that "the first waves of large-scale missile strikes were aimed at blinding enemy radars and defense systems." This strategic approach, he suggested, has yielded improved results, declaring that "now Iran can target any point it wishes with fewer missiles."

Denial and new capability claims

Ghalibaf's statement represents a direct rebuttal to US assertions of having degraded Iranian offensive capabilities during the ongoing conflict that has claimed more than 1,200 lives, including Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. His characterization of Iranian missile development suggests Tehran has shifted from quantity-based barrages to precision strikes, potentially complicating defensive efforts by US and allied forces in the region.

Iron Dome becomes 'irony'

In a pointed reference to Israel's renowned air defense system, Ghalibaf mockingly observed that "today, the Iron Dome has turned into an irony." The remark alludes to recent Iranian missile strikes that have reportedly penetrated Israeli defenses, including projectiles that landed near Jerusalem despite activation of the country's network. The speaker's taunt reflects Tehran's confidence in its ability to challenge Israeli and American military superiority despite sustaining significant losses in the conflict.

Regional conflict intensifies

The exchange occurs against the backdrop of escalating warfare that began Feb. 28 when the United States and Israel launched joint military operations against Iran. Tehran has responded with retaliatory drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf nations hosting American military assets. As hostilities continue without diplomatic resolution, both sides engage in information warfare alongside military confrontation, seeking to shape regional and international perceptions of the conflict's trajectory. Türkiye continues to monitor these developments closely, recognizing the implications for regional stability and its own security interests.