Mackenzie testified before the US House Armed Services Committee that Iran
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Gen Kenneth McKenzie: Iran possesses one of most capable militaries in the Middle East
Monday, 26 April 2021 6:37 AM
[ Last Update: Monday, 26 April 2021 8:04 AM ]
Missile defence
Head of US Central Command General Kenneth McKenzie says Iran possesses one of the most capable militaries in the Middle East; the top General said Iran's ballistic missile force is the most formidable in the region.
General Mackenzie who testified before the US House Armed Services Committee said Iran's widespread use of drones means that the US is operating without complete air superiority for the first time since the Korean War.
Iran has time and again stated that its military capabilities are merely defensive and are designed to deter foreign threats.
Our correspondent Colin Campbell joins us now from Washington to tell us more about the testimony that was given before the US House Armed Services Committee by CENTCOM commander, Kenneth McKenzie.
Lets welcome former UN weapons inspector in Iraq, and former US Marine intelligence officer, Mr Scott Ritter who is joining us from Bethlehem, New York.
Mr Ritter, what do you make of this acknowledgement by General McKenzie?
And now we have international relations expert Mehrdad Torabi joining us from Bolonia.
Do you think that the statements pointing to the waning influence of the US in the region shows Washington is facing limitations in the region?
Mr. Ritter in New York. What about the timing of all this talks on reviving the JCPOA are ongoing at the moment, do you think that there's any significance to the timing of all this?
The top American General said Iran's ballistic missile force is the most formidable in the region, Is that why Washington wants a new deal, a renegotiated JCPOA that includes Iranian missiles?
Mehrdad Torabi, would you give us your thoughts on the same question?
Scott Ritter. During the Iraqi imposed war on Iran, as stated many times by the foreign minister the Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, US and other Western governments they armed and they assisted Saddam Hussein with sophisticated weapons while actively preventing Iran from getting access to the most rudimentary defensive necessities, if there's a historical lesson here it said Iran must establish a formidable level of defensive military capabilities. Do you agree?
Iran stated that its military capabilities are merely defensive, and they're designed to deter foreign threats with a foreign presence in the region, ie the United States, the massive arms sales to the likes of Saudi Arabia, and let's add Israel's destabilizing actions into the mix, having a sufficient military capability, like the one Iran has established right now is a must for Tehran.
General McKenzie said Iran's drones mean that the US is operating without complete air superiority for the first time since the Korean War.
Does the fact that Iran's military knowhow is indigenous and domestically manufactured make that sound even more impressive to you?
We shall now be talking about the issue of sanctions. These advancements at the time of the toughest sanctions ever on Iran have led to Iran becoming more and more self sufficient.
Do you think that the whole maximum pressure campaign and the sanctions regime have not been successful with regards to the Islamic Republic of Iran?
The Hawks in Washington have been aiming for regime change in a number of countries in the region.
The list included Syria. Obviously they failed in Syria, they have their eye on Iran as well.
Do you think they'll now have to reevaluate these ambitions given Iran's power and position that it has displayed and established in the region?
Mr. Torabi you can answer that question as well?