Iran held air defense exercises on Saturday, according to state media, in a bid to enhance its readiness against potential threats. The drills are being held at a time when tensions are mounting with both Israel and the United States, especially ahead of the new leadership by US President-elect Donald Trump.
The military exercises are meant to simulate real battlefield conditions, where Iranian defense systems will practice countering air, missile, and electronic warfare threats. The goal is to enhance the country’s defense capabilities, ensuring the protection of its skies, critical infrastructure, and vital areas. According to Iranian state television, these drills are part of a larger, two-month-long exercise that began on January 4.
The elite Revolutionary Guards had reportedly defended strategic nuclear sites at Natanz during the first stage of these maneuvers, fending off mock missile and drone attacks. Iran has displayed new missiles and drones by its military, while video captured an underground storage facility for missiles, which the Iranian military refers to as a “missile city,” as it was recently toured by the commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary Guards, Major General Hossein Salami.
This military exercise is occurring at a time when Iran faces increased geopolitical pressure. The attack by Israel on the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon, coupled with the fall of Iranian ally Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last month, has brought tensions to a new level. Besides, Iran faces the threat of U.S. sanctions, part of Trump’s “maximum pressure” policy, which adds to its growing isolation.
Despite these challenges, Salami noted that Iran’s missile forces were resilient, telling adversaries not to underestimate Iran’s strength. It is a military response reflecting the determination of Iran to secure its interests in the face of a hostile environment.
