US News

Iran parades ‘anti-American’ missiles

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran yesterday displayed a new all-Iranian-made air-defense system, saying it was designed to confront American warplanes in case of a US attack on the country.

The system was on show during a military parade in Tehran held to commemorate the start of the Iraq-Iran war 32 years ago.

The Raad, or Thunder, is more advanced than its Russian predecessor and designed to confront fighter jets, cruise missiles, smart bombs, helicopters and drones, the semiofficial Fars news agency said.

Gen. Ami Ali Hajizadeh, head of the Revolutionary Guard’s airspace division, warned the system was ready for an attack.

“This system is built with the aim to confront American warplanes,” Hajizadeh said, adding that Raad carries missiles with a range of 30 miles, capable of hitting targets at 75,000 feet.

He also warned Israel, saying a war against Iran will lead to the destruction of the Jewish state.

“The Zionist regime is capable of starting the war,” he said. “But the final moment [of the war] will be in our hands. In that case, there will be no Zionist regime anymore.”