January 30, 2026 | 06:45 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A total of 1,000 drones have been received by various branches of Iran's armed forces, as reported by the semi-official Tasnim news agency and cited by Al Arabiya on Thursday, amid mounting tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump. He has warned of a potential attack should Tehran continue to reject the nuclear deal.
"In accordance with the threats ahead, the army maintains and enhances its strategic advantages for rapid combat and imposing a crushing response against any aggressor," said Iranian Defense Minister Amir Hatami.
Iranian authorities announced that 1,000 units of domestically-produced strategic combat drones have been integrated into the combat formations of their military divisions. The drones were distributed among the army, air defense, navy, and air force under Hatami's command, according to the Tasnim report.
The report added that the drones were co-developed by military experts and Iran's Defense Ministry to confront evolving threats, drawing lessons from the "12-day war" with Israel last year.
"The UAVs have been designed in destructive, offensive, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare categories, with the capability to target specific fixed and mobile objectives across land, sea, and air domains."
Hatami stated that, in view of various future threats, Iran's military has prioritized efforts to maintain and enhance its strategic superiority to facilitate rapid combat operations and provide a crushing response to any aggression.
The delivery follows the U.S. deployment of a strike group led by the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln to the Middle East earlier this week. Tensions between Tehran and Washington have escalated alongside increasing rhetoric and warnings from the U.S. directed at Iran.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Wednesday that a large fleet, led by the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln and larger than the one sent to Venezuela, is heading toward Iran. He warned that time is running out for Tehran to reach an agreement with Washington.
In response, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi stated, "Our brave armed Forces are prepared with their fingers on the trigger to immediately and powerfully respond to ANY aggression."
A source in Iran's Foreign Ministry further informed the Lebanese outlet Al-Akhbar, as cited by The Jerusalem Post, that the U.S. claim regarding Iran contacting Washington to reach an agreement was false.
Earlier this month, Trump claimed that Iran had requested to enter negotiations.
“I think they’re tired of being beaten up by the United States. Iran wants to negotiate,” Trump said at the time.
“The American claims regarding Iran’s request to negotiate and reach an agreement are baseless and aimed at waging psychological warfare and exerting pressure on Tehran, coinciding with the strengthening of the American military presence,” Al-Akhbar quoted the source as saying.
The source continued by stating that the U.S. is not seeking sincere negotiations but is instead trying to impose a deal that would force Iran to accept terms without discussion.
Foreign ministry officials added that the U.S. wants Iran to dismantle its nuclear program, limit its defense capabilities, and recognize Israel.
"This has nothing to do with a balanced agreement; it would mean Iran’s surrender," the source told the Lebanese media.
The officials continued by stating that Iran remains open to a "balanced" agreement but would choose armed conflict if such an agreement is not granted. "If forced to choose between the agreement proposed by Trump and war, Iran will choose the latter, considering it less costly, because it will not surrender itself in advance."
Earlier, Israeli and international reports on Thursday indicated that Trump is considering new massive military actions against the Islamic Republic, including options designed to trigger regime change in the country following failed talks.
On Wednesday, several countries, including Turkey, Oman, and Qatar, sought to mediate between Washington and Tehran to avoid war.
Read: Saudi and Israeli Officials Visit US for Talks on Iran
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