Yasin training jet was launched today for the first time at Nojeh (Nozheh) Airbase in western province of Hamedan after passing final test phase, IRNA reported.

Yasin is designed and built by skilled Iranian experts and cooperation between Ministry of Defense, Iran Air Force and the Office for Development and Renovation of Science and Technology operating under Vice-President Sorena Sattari.

Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the few countries in the world that, while under sanctions, has managed to design and manufacture advanced training aircraft by relying on its most experienced and talented youth in cooperation with knowledge-based firms and private sector companies , Minister of Defense Hatami says.

According to Army Public Relations, the infantry training aircraft made its first official flight over the Noje base this morning after undergoing final tests.

Yasin is 12 meters long, four meters high and five and a half tonnes of cargo weight under operational take-off conditions and can fly up to 12 km. It is equipped with a 7,000-pound turbo-jet powered jet engine, which is the world’s leading jet fighter engine.

The new air defense HQ is equipped with the latest homegrown surveillance technologies to enable Iranian forces to keep a better watch on the region. Iran News quotes the report by Daily.

The southern-based air defense forces of the Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) will be under the direct command of the Persian Gulf Air Defense HQ.

During the ceremony, Major General Mousavi said that Iran will give a crushing response to any threat against the country, stressing that all necessary measures have been taken in ground, naval, and air defenses; there is no security gap in the country’s defense apparatus.

The Iranian official added that Iran has vigilantly maintained the security of the Persian Gulf region over the past 40 years.

Speaking to reporters, Mousavi said Iran has gained such great power that even the enemies, which make occasional miscalculations, are aware of the true magnitude of the country’s might.

The commander also said the Persian Gulf region could become the safest zone in the world with the help of the regional countries.

He lashed out at the outside forces for bringing about insecurity and tension in the region.

He said the air defense forces of the Iranian Army and the IRGC are working together in coordination and synergy and are protecting all of the country’s “important, sensitive and vital” areas.

The Iranian Armed Forces have also made all necessary preparations for powerful protection of the country’s border areas, the senior commander added, noting that the country is impervious to threats.

On Saturday, the head of Iran’s Army Center for Strategic Studies, Brigadier General Ahmad Reza Pourdastan, said all the enemies’ moves at the borders and inside and outside the region are being carefully monitored through different systems.

He noted that the downing of an intruding US drone in June gave a “very strong warning” to the Americans because they sought to wage a “limited war in the region.”

On June 20 Iran shot down a US surveillance drone following its violation of Iranian airspace.