Sayed Mohammad Marandi, a pro-Iran commentator and University of Tehran professor, asserted in a March 5, 2026, interview that Iran’s ongoing drone and missile strikes on U.S. targets rely on “very old” weapons, implying that more advanced arsenals are held in reserve. The remarks come amid escalating U.S.-Iran clashes that began with mutual drone attacks on March 1, highlighting Tehran’s effort to project resilience despite operational setbacks.

Marandi’s claims stand in contrast to his earlier, unfulfilled prediction that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) would immediately sink the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier. Analysts note that this pattern of rhetoric reflects a deliberate strategy by Iranian media to exaggerate capabilities and intimidate adversaries while U.S. defenses have successfully intercepted many low-tech Shahed drones, according to recent military assessments.

The interview underscores the ongoing psychological and strategic dimensions of the conflict, as Iran seeks to maintain a narrative of strength and deterrence despite facing superior U.S. technology and coordinated strikes. Observers suggest that statements like Marandi’s are designed more for domestic and regional messaging than as accurate reflections of battlefield effectiveness.