Press TV - Head of the Aerospace Division of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) General Amir Ali Hajizadeh says Iran is among the top five countries in the world in the field of  unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

"Today, after forty years since the Islamic Revolution, we have seen tremendous progress in many areas, especially drones and we are among the top five countries in the world in the field of UAVs," he said on Saturday.

"Moreover, we have made very good progress in the field of radars, the downing of the MQ4 aircraft being an example. We are also the most powerful country in the region in the missile area," he added.

He made the remarks at a public exposition called "Hunting Vultures" where remains of drones downed in Iran and the Iranian air defense system which shot down the US military drone in June were displayed.

The exposition is part of annual events commemorating the start of the 1980-88 imposed war with Iraq, which also includes air and naval displays in the Persian Gulf and military parades on Sunday.

“Enemies should learn a lesson and change their rhetoric toward the Iranian nation,” Hajizadeh said.

Over the past years, Iran has made major breakthroughs in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing military equipment and hardware despite sanctions and economic pressures on the country.

Iran says its military power is solely for defensive purposes and does not pose any threat to other countries. The Islamic Republic says, however, that it will give a crushing response to any act of aggression against its territory.