In an address to the opening of a permanent exhibition of IRGC Aerospace Force achievements, Major General Salami said the IRGC will never stand idle when it comes to the enhancement of defense capabilities.

“We won’t stop generating power, and will acquire the techniques and formulas for the promotion of science and technology to defend our country’s vital interests and values,” he underscored.

He also hailed the products put on display at the IRGC’s National Aerospace Park as a reminder that Iran has turned the sanctions into an opportunity and has made rapid scientific and technological progress in the defense industry.

A range of homegrown military products and advances in the missile, air defense, drone and aerospace industries have been put on display in the park.

Head of the military office of Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Brigadier General Mohammad Shirazi, had a telephone conversation with Commander of Iran’s Air Defense Brigadier General Alireza Sabahi Fard on Monday to relay a message from Ayatollah Khamenei.

“Send my regards to the vigilant personnel of the country’s Air Defense. The country owes its security to Air Defense’ preparedness and wakefulness. Our pious people are grateful for your unwavering efforts. Be appreciative of this,” the Leader told the Air Defense units in the message, passed on by General Shirazi.

In remarks in September 2017, Ayatollah Khamenei highlighted the leading role that the Air Defense plays in safeguarding Iran, calling for efforts to unleash the potential of the country’s young talents and develop innovative plans in this field.

The two new missiles, named after former IRGC Quds Force Commander Lt. General Qassem Soleimani and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, the second-in-command of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) anti-terror group, were unveiled on Thursday during a virtual ceremony attended by Iran President Hassan Rouhani on Defense Industry Day.

The first ballistic missile dubbed “Martyr Hajj Qassem Soleimani” has a range close to 1,400 kilometers, while the second one dubbed “Martyr Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis” is a cruise missile with a range of 1,000 kilometers.

The Iranian General and Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis and their companions were assassinated in a US airstrike near Baghdad airport on January 3, as General Soleimani was on an official visit to the Iraqi capital.

In late July, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said Iran will never forget Washington’s assassination of General Soleimani and will definitely deliver a “counterblow” to the United States.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran will never forget this issue and will definitely deal the counterblow to the Americans,” Ayatollah Khamenei said in a meeting with visiting Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi in Tehran.

“They killed your guest at your own home and unequivocally admitted the atrocity. This is no small matter,” the Leader told the Iraqi premier.