Tehran – General Mohammad Hadi Sephidian, a spokesman for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) ground force drill, said the second stage of the exercise, which began in early January, simulates the battle of enemy air and ground attacks. It has been announced to the Tehran Times that it will be done. The Navy of the Persian Gulf.
General Sephidian made clear that the exercise, which will begin soon and will last for four days, will not be held directly in the Persian Gulf, but will instead take place in southwestern Iran. “This is to prevent external forces from observing tactics and strategies,” he explained.
He said, “Iran does not seek war. However, if war occurs, the IRGC’s ground forces are fully prepared and ready to defend the country.”
The early stages of the drill, part of a broader national operation involving all branches of the Iranian military, focused on countering the penetration of terrorists and smugglers along Iran’s western boundary. The Army (Artesh) conducted similar exercises in the eastern region of Iran.
According to General Sefidchian, “The first stage of the drill focused on security and intelligence. The second focused on defense. To fight traditional enemy forces, naturally eliminate terrorist groups. It requires more resources and personnel than that. So, future exercises will involve all the branches of the IRGC ground forces and utilize a variety of equipment and weapons.”
Development is coming as tensions are rising between Iran and the United States over many issues, including Israel, the Iranian nuclear program and Washington’s attempts to block Tehran’s oil sales. Analysts believe US President Donald Trump is at high risk of direct conflict in West Asia if he goes outboard to pressure Iran to limit its nuclear and military capabilities. And Iran demands that they say they will stay away from the table forever.
He did not mention the current state of escalating tensions, but General Sephidian said Iran poses a serious threat to its security. “In our case, for example, ground forces are simulating all the potential scenarios we might face in combat with the enemy one day.”
Drills include weapons such as tanks, missiles, anti-armor vehicles, microaerial vehicles (MAVs), Kamikaze drones, and reconnaissance drones. He further explained that operations include demolition operations, air drop operations, parachute operations and air attacks.
General Sephidian said, “Battle in the dark is much more complicated than during the day. Our troops practice dodging very heavy night raids,” He particularly emphasized the importance of the attack.
The ongoing national drills in Iran have so far involved a variety of branches such as IRGC, Artesh, Basij. Air defense units have notably practiced intercepting bunkerbuster bombs through Iranian nuclear presence in multiple locations across the country.
The Navy also attracted attention during the exercise, unveiling two underground military bases, housed fast attack crafts and advanced missiles with numerous weapons equipped, along the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. In an interview with the Tehran Times, IRGC Navy Commander Brigadier Alireza Tangsiri said the entire southern coast of Iran is home to such underground bases.