Iran Unveils Next-Level Warfare Drones Amid Tensions With U.S
Iran has unveiled a new fleet of combat drones with capabilities for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), signaling a leap in warfare capabilities amid growing tensions with the United States, its state media reported.
Newsweek has reached out to the Pentagon and Iran's foreign ministry for comments.
These drones, built for multiple military roles, highlight Iran's ambitions for self-sufficiency despite sanctions and friction with the United States over its nuclear program and support regional proxy groups.
The Islamic republic has followed a strategy to protect its military assets from potential airstrikes and surveillance while highlighting advances that make its potential threat apparent to adversaries.
Iran has built three new Vertical Take-off and Landing drones for its armed forces: Homa, Dideban, and Shahin-1, which were unveiled this week at a military drone base in Zahedan, near the country's southeastern border, according to Iran's state-run channel Press TV.
According to the report, Iran's navy is the main operator of VTOL drones as most vessels can't support conventional drones. The Homa VTOL supports electronic warfare and reconnaissance, Dideban enables precision targeting, and Shahin-1 is built for pinpoint attacks on enemy positions.
Iran had previously announced developing a range of drone systems and plans to set up new drone bases to counter threats to the country's sovereignty and unveiled its first drone carrier warship in February.
Iran says it has used captured U.S. drones—most notably the RQ-7 that crashed in 2005 and the RQ-170 it seized in 2011—as templates for developing its own unmanned aerial systems. Russia has made extensive use of Iranian drone technology in its war in Ukraine.
The U.S. and Iran concluded a fifth round of nuclear talks brokered by Oman in Rome on Friday and both sides said progress was made, but U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened military action if talks fail to reach agreement.
Iran's armed forces on Monday threatened a potential strike on Israel as what it described as justified by Israeli agression.
Deputy Commander of the Iranian Army's Ground Forces, Brigadier General Nozar Nemati, quoted by Press TV: "It is because of these investments, planning, and persistence in research, as well as progress and development in such efficient and empowering fields that the Army's Ground Force is now recognized as a leading and pioneering force in employment and utilization of the capacity and power of new defense and military achievements."
A senior U.S. administration official told Newsweek on Friday: "The discussions were both direct and indirect, and lasted over 2 hours. The talks continue to be constructive – we made further progress, but there is still work to be done. Both sides agreed to meet again in the near future. We are grateful to our Omani partners for their continued facilitation."
Iran will continue boosting military capabilities and air defense systems amid threats of war with the United States or Israel.
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