Iran’s army added 1,000 drones to its combat regiments as its chief vowed a “crushing response” to any attack, state television reported, after the United States moved a strike force into regional waters.
“In accordance with the threats we are facing, maintaining and enhancing strategic advantages for rapid combat and a crushing response to any invasion … is always on the army’s agenda,” Iran’s army commander Amir Hatami said, cited by state television.
A batch of 1,000 drones was received by the various branches of the Iranian army, semi-official Tasnim news agency reported on Thursday.
General Hatami oversaw the integration of the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), the Mehr News Agency reported.
Following a directive from the Commander of the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1,000 strategic unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were integrated today into the operational structure of the Army’s four service branches.
— Mehr News Agency (@MehrnewsCom) January 29, 2026
🔗 https://t.co/i3DFF9mrax pic.twitter.com/7B82HArnDH
The newly added drones were developed in line with “emerging security challenges and operational lessons drawn from the recent 12-day war,” the agency said. The systems were produced by army specialists in cooperation with Iran’s Ministry of Defense.
Designed across multiple operational categories, including strike, offensive, reconnaissance and electronic warfare, the drones are intended to target specific fixed and mobile objectives across maritime, aerial and ground domains, according to Mehr.
Hatami said maintaining and enhancing strategic advantages “remains a standing priority for the Iranian army.”
“Preparedness for rapid combat operations and decisive responses to any form of aggression continues to guide Iran’s defense planning, in line with anticipated threats,” he added.
