Iran launches massive military exercise

Iran has launched an extensive military exercise scheduled to last for six days. Units from the army, navy and air force will take part in a show of military capabilities from the Strait of Hormuz to the Indian Ocean.

Military sources said that the exercise aims to raise the Iranian armed forces’ readiness to “counter terrorism in the region.” Senior officers visited the area in the south-east of the country on Wednesday.

The Iranian Navy’s Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayari explained that different missile capabilities will be tested during the manoeuvres, “including sea-to-sea, surface-to-sea, surface-to-air and air-to-sea missiles.”

According to the Deputy Commander of the Iranian Army’s Ground Forces, Brigadier General Kiumars Heidari, Iran’s helicopter and anti-tank missiles and defence systems will be in use during the exercise. Ground force capabilities in electronic warfare will also be put to the test.

The Iranian Air Force, added Brigadier General Hossein Chit Foroush, will deploy nine different kinds of fighter aircraft over the six days.