The commander of the Aerospace Force of the IRGC has claimed the aerial attack on Israel was carried out with old weapons and minimal military strength amid backlash over the operation’s ineffectiveness.
Amir Ali Hajizadeh stated on Thursday that IRGC’s limited resources exceeded "the maximum capacity of both Hebrew and Western powers with minimal strength,” Tasnim, a news outlet affiliated with the IRGC, reported.
While Iran launched an unprecedented drone and missile barrage against Israel over the weekend, the effectiveness of the attack has been criticized and ridiculed online.
The attack, which was in retaliation for Israel's April 1 air strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, was almost entirely intercepted by the Israeli Defense Forces and its allies.
The Iranian authorities attempted to silence all criticism, including that of journalists and citizens inside the country, within hours of the attack.
Several news outlets and journalists who were critical of the regime's portrayal of a powerful attack were arrested and prosecuted. The IRGC's Intelligence Unit and judiciary have also threatened to prosecute anyone who ridicules or criticizes the military establishment.
In spite of attempts by the regime to save face, researchers interviewed by the Washington Post about Iran's arsenal claim Iran "threw everything it had that could reach Israeli territory."
n his Thursday remarks, Hajizadeh named a few "powerful" missiles to boast that they were not used, like Sejjil-1. However, experts say they may no longer be produced as they are too costly. Additionally, Hajiazdeh claims that the Kheibar Shekan missile was not used, a claim the Washington Post analysts refute.
