Iran’s Deputy Defense Minister Reza Talaei-Nik has issued a confident statement regarding the country’s wartime readiness, responding to US assessments suggesting a decline in Tehran’s defense capabilities. According to Al Jazeera, his remarks were published in Iranian media on March 22, 2026.

Talaei-Nik said that ongoing regional attacks demonstrate Iran’s ability to rely on strategic reserves and domestic production. He highlighted that two decades of investment in missile and drone manufacturing have enabled the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to strike targets with precision and effectiveness. He further noted that IRGC missile and drone operations, along with the use of cruise missiles from coastal and naval units, indicate improved accuracy compared to the early weeks of the conflict.

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, Talaei-Nik asserted that Iran’s armed forces effectively control and determine the security of the waterway.