FNA - Former Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi underlined the country's high capabilities in manufacturing different defense products, noting that the home-made drones can be used for reconnaissance and combat operations outside the borders.

"We are a powerful country in the drone sector and we enjoy the capability to conduct reconnaissance and combat operations outside the borders," said General Vahidi, who is currently the president of the Supreme National Defense University, on Tuesday.

He also said that Iran is capable of manufacturing different planes from designing to production.

"Iran is also the first Islamic state which has the ability to manufacture engine for planes," General Vahidi said.

His remarks came after the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in response to the September 22 terrorist attacks in Southwestern Iran launched drone and missile strikes against the ISIL strongholds in Eastern Syria on October 1.

26 people were killed and 69 others were wounded in an attack by al-Ahwaziya terrorist group during the nationwide military parades in the Southwestern city of Ahwaz on September 22.

The terrorists attacked the bystanders watching the annual Armed Forces' parades, marking the start of the Sacred Defense Week, commemorating Iranians' sacrifices during the 8 years of the Iraqi imposed war on Iran in 1980s, in disguise of the IRGC and Basij (volunteer) forces, killing and wounding several people, including innocent women and children.

In response, the IRGC fired 6 ballistic ground-to-ground missiles and launched drone attacks on terrorists' positions in Eastern Euphrates region in Eastern Syria.

During the operations codenamed Zarbat-e Moharram (Blow of Moharram) carried out at 2:00 AM (local time) October 1 against the headquarters of Takfiri terrorists near Albu Kamal region in Eastern Euphrates was attacked from Kermanshah province in Western Iran, 570km away from the targets.

The IRGC's Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh announced later that the missile and drone strikes against the terrorist targets in Syria killed 40 ISIL commanders and smashed all targets.

Later reports said that the IRGC had used the home-made drone, Saeqeh (Thunderbolt), for pounding the command center of the terrorists in Eastern Syria.