At an event in the southeastern city of Kerman on February 6, Iranian Army commander Ali Jahan Shahi declared that Iran’s armed forces will resolutely defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Speaking under the banner of unity with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and popular support, the commander framed the pledge as a response to external attempts to destabilize the Islamic Republic.
Jahan Shahi accused unnamed adversaries of trying to erode public confidence by creating despair and weakening religious and revolutionary convictions, a theme that blends domestic political messaging with security posture. By tying the military’s role directly to regime survival, his remarks reaffirm the army as both a deterrent against external threats and a guarantor of internal order.
The commander also outlined the character of the army’s newest equipment, saying it emphasizes four features: precision, range, networking and intelligence, and that integration of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, along with continued tactical training, has materially improved readiness. That language signals a shift toward networked, sensor-driven operations — combining longer-range effects with data connectivity and automated decision support — rather than simply accumulating platforms or munitions.
The combined messaging matters for regional security and diplomacy. Iran’s emphasis on AI-enabled, networked capabilities could enhance the effectiveness of missiles, drones and command-and-control systems, complicating calculations for neighbors, US forces and regional rivals. At the same time, reiterating the army’s role in defending regime legitimacy is aimed at domestic audiences and potential foreign backers and detractors alike, underscoring that Tehran sees modernisation and political cohesion as mutually reinforcing.