Iran Conducts Drill to Defend ‘Sensitive Sites’

Photo from tunnels storing Revolutionary Guard’s weapons (Mehr News Agency)
Photo from tunnels storing Revolutionary Guard’s weapons (Mehr News Agency)
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Iran Conducts Drill to Defend ‘Sensitive Sites’

Photo from tunnels storing Revolutionary Guard’s weapons (Mehr News Agency)
Photo from tunnels storing Revolutionary Guard’s weapons (Mehr News Agency)

Major General Mohammad Bagheri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, said that Iran had conducted “realistic” military maneuvers in sensitive locations that could be a potential target for foreign attacks.

The drills come at a time international fears of Iran enriching weapon-grade uranium are increasingly growing.

Bagheri told state television that the joint exercises of the air defense units of the Revolutionary Guards and the army are taking place in “realistic” conditions in areas that “could be targeted by enemies and possible threat scenarios.”

Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Gharaei Ashtiani had played down the US’ announcement of holding joint naval maneuvers in the region.

On the sidelines of a government meeting, Ashtiani told reporters that the US-led naval maneuvers were held for various reasons, including “preserving the morale of soldiers who have been stationed for months in the region.”

The minister refused to allow the “international naval exercise” led by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) in the region, which will continue until mid-March, to threaten Iran.

“Holding maneuvers is not a reason to launch a military operation, and there are other reasons,” Ashtiani told reporters.

“We do not have conclusions about a military operation, but Iran is constantly alert,” he added.

The state-run Mehr news agency said Iranian forces had trained to counter cruise missile attacks.

During the drill, the agency reported that hostile targets were taken down by the domestically developed Khordad air defense system.

Moreover, the Dezful defense system of the Revolutionary Guard’s aerospace force and the Majid defense system of the Iranian army were deployed at the joint air defense military drills on Tuesday.

“We warn the US that any support for the actions of the Israeli military against Iran would endanger the lives of American soldiers in the region,” said the Commander of the Khatam al-Anbia Headquarters, Maj. Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid.

The Khatam al-Anbia Headquarters coordinates joint operations by the Revolutionary Guard and the Iranian army.

“Taking threats seriously and being prepared to defend and attack the enemy is the logic that oversees carrying out maneuvers,” said Maj. Gen. Rashid.

Tensions have recently escalated between Tehran and the West. Reasons behind strained ties include Tehran’s nuclear program and its supply of weapons, such as explosive drones, to Russia in its war with Ukraine.

Additionally, Tehran has been brutal in suppressing anti-establishment demonstrations.



Axios: US, Israeli Officials Believe Highly Enriched Uranium is Sealed Off Inside Iran’s Damaged Facilities

This handout satellite image courtesy of Maxar Technologies shows cargo trucks postioned near an underground entrance to Iran's Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP), in Fordo, Iran on June 20, 2025. (Photo by Satellite image 2025 Maxar Technologies / AFP)
This handout satellite image courtesy of Maxar Technologies shows cargo trucks postioned near an underground entrance to Iran's Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP), in Fordo, Iran on June 20, 2025. (Photo by Satellite image 2025 Maxar Technologies / AFP)
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Axios: US, Israeli Officials Believe Highly Enriched Uranium is Sealed Off Inside Iran’s Damaged Facilities

This handout satellite image courtesy of Maxar Technologies shows cargo trucks postioned near an underground entrance to Iran's Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP), in Fordo, Iran on June 20, 2025. (Photo by Satellite image 2025 Maxar Technologies / AFP)
This handout satellite image courtesy of Maxar Technologies shows cargo trucks postioned near an underground entrance to Iran's Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant (FFEP), in Fordo, Iran on June 20, 2025. (Photo by Satellite image 2025 Maxar Technologies / AFP)

Highly enriched uranium is currently “sealed off” inside damaged facilities in Iran’s Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, Israeli and US officials say, according to the America news website, Axios.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in an interview that aired Monday with US journalist Tucker Carlson that the nuclear facilities were seriously damaged, but Iran doesn't currently have access to them to accurately assess the situation.

US and Israeli officials say both countries' intelligence services are monitoring Iranian actions around its nuclear facilities to detect efforts to remove material or restore operations, according to Axios.

Netanyahu's top adviser, Ron Dermer, told officials in closed briefings that he came away from a recent visit to Washington with the impression that the Trump administration would back new Israeli strikes on Iran under certain circumstances, two sources with knowledge told the website.

One scenario would be an Iranian attempt to remove the highly enriched uranium inside the damaged facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, according to the sources.

Another would be if the Iranians start rebuilding their nuclear program, particularly enrichment facilities.

Dermer met last week with Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House envoy Steve Witkoff, Israeli officials said.

Witkoff is planning to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oslo in the coming days to restart nuclear talks.

According to Axios, the Iranians confirmed such a meeting is in the works but so far no final date has been set.

Dermer told Israeli officials the US remains committed to the principle of zero enrichment on Iranian soil in the nuclear talks, the website wrote.