US' greatest military setback lies in collapse of its image of power, Iranian commander says

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Iranian Army Deputy Chief for Executive Affairs Brigadier General Alireza Sheikh claims that during hostilities, 17 US bases in the region were damaged, 65 per cent of its Patriot interceptor missiles were used, and the Pentagon incurred more than $47 billion in direct costs, state broadcaster Press TV reports.

“America’s greatest military setback goes beyond casualties and material losses; it lies in the collapse of the image of power it spent years and vast resources building,” he is quoted as saying.

“[The] US entered the war to restore its superpower image and show it could impose its will through military force. But the battlefield exposed the limits of that power, showing that military superiority does not guarantee political or strategic success,” he adds.

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