Analyst Ryan Bohl told Breaking Defense it appeared the Iranian general's comments reflect that Iran is "doing something to secure itself even in the face of a more aggressive Israel and US ... ."
If the drone is as capable as advertised, analyst Ryan Bohl said he could see it having a "greater tactical impact on Iran's near abroad in places like Iraq, Pakistan and Afghanistan."
With potential adversaries no longer predictable, training must move beyond just live exercises and flight simulators.
Should the jets join the Islamic Republic's fleet, they could pose “an additional layer of challenges for those seeking to land an uncontested blow against the regime’s nuclear or military infrastructure," one defense expert said.
The move comes as any further Ukraine aid on Capitol Hill is snarled by yesterday's votes to remove Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the House.