Iran's President Praises Israel: "They Are Racing Ahead"
An Iranian president and a former military commander both made stunning, and sometimes accidental, admissions of Israel's technological and military dominance. Their remarks offer a rare glimpse into Iran's internal perspective on the shadow war.
Twitter
In a striking departure from typical Iranian rhetoric, President Masoud Pezeshkian openly recognized Israel's commanding technological advantage during a recent address in China. Speaking to a gathering of Iranian expatriates, Pezeshkian remarked that Israel is "racing ahead alone in the region" thanks to its cutting-edge technology, which he attributed to both Israel's independent innovations and backing from the United States and its allies.
Pezeshkian, who assumed office in July 2024 following the unexpected death of his predecessor Ebrahim Raisi in a helicopter crash, has positioned himself as a moderate reformist within Iran's hardline political landscape. A trained cardiac surgeon and former health minister, he campaigned on promises of economic revival and cautious diplomatic outreach, though his administration continues to navigate the constraints of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's oversight. His comments in China, delivered during a state visit aimed at bolstering ties with Beijing, highlight Iran's growing interest in Eastern partnerships as Western sanctions bite deeper into its economy and military capabilities.
The president's words come against a backdrop of intensified regional conflicts. Israel and Iran have long engaged in a shadow war, with Tehran funding and arming proxy groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen, alliances that have fueled repeated escalations. In recent months, Israel has ramped up airstrikes targeting Iranian-linked sites in Syria and Lebanon, while fending off missile barrages from Yemen. Iran's missile and drone programs, meanwhile, have advanced but still lag behind Israel's sophisticated defenses, including the Iron Dome system, which has intercepted thousands of incoming projectiles since its deployment in 2011.
Analysts interpret Pezeshkian's statement as a veiled expression of frustration over Iran's technological hurdles. Israel's reputation as the "Startup Nation" is well-earned: The country boasts over 9,000 startups, many specializing in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and military tech. Innovations like the Stuxnet virus, widely attributed to a joint Israeli-U.S. operation in 2010, disrupted Iran's nuclear centrifuges, demonstrating the kind of asymmetric warfare edge Pezeshkian alluded to. Today, Israeli firms lead globally in areas such as autonomous drones and advanced surveillance, often exported to allies and contributing billions to the economy.
The revelation first surfaced through Iranian news monitoring accounts and quickly ignited debates on social media platforms, where users dissected the implications for Middle East power dynamics. Some view it as a pragmatic signal that Iran might seek to accelerate its own tech collaborations, particularly with China, which has emerged as a key trading partner and supplier of dual-use technologies despite U.S. pressure.
As Iran pivots eastward, evidenced by Pezeshkian's trip and deepening Sino-Iranian economic pacts, Israel continues to strengthen its alliances, including normalized relations with several Arab states under the Abraham Accords.
In a related development, Open Source Intel reported that Former Quds Force chief General Qaani unintentionally praises Israel, saying “Israel assassinated our highest-ranking military commanders and scientists and destroyed our nuclear infrastructure, it controlled the skies of Iran and assisted the United States in destroying the important nuclear facility in Fordow.”
He then added awkwardly added, “All the achievements in the war were actually those of the Islamic Republic.”"