Iran’s army air defence deputy coordinator said the country has deployed its air-defence network at over 3,800 locations nationwide to perform four core tasks: detection, identification, interception and strike of aerial targets. He said the force’s primary duty is to monitor all flying objects inside and outside Iranian airspace and, when necessary, respond with fighter intercepts or missile strikes to prevent and destroy hostile aircraft. Deployment sites span deserts, coasts, islands and mountains, with many positioned in remote, hard-to-access areas. 01-SEP-2026 05:42 AM ET