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.



European Powers May Restore UN Sanctions on Iran

FILED - 18 July 2024, United Kingdom, Woodstock: UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy gives an interview at the European Political Community summit. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa
FILED - 18 July 2024, United Kingdom, Woodstock: UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy gives an interview at the European Political Community summit. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa
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European Powers May Restore UN Sanctions on Iran

FILED - 18 July 2024, United Kingdom, Woodstock: UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy gives an interview at the European Political Community summit. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa
FILED - 18 July 2024, United Kingdom, Woodstock: UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy gives an interview at the European Political Community summit. Photo: Michael Kappeler/dpa

The European troika, known as the E3, may restore UN sanctions on Iran under the snapback mechanism, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Tuesday, warning that the move could increase Tehran's suffering unless it takes a serious stance on stepping back from its nuclear program.

Speaking to the UK parliament’s foreign affairs select committee, Lammy said: “Iran faces even more pressure in the coming weeks because the E3 can snap back on our sanctions, and it’s not just our sanctions, it’s actually a UN mechanism that would impose dramatic sanctions on Iran across nearly every single front in its economy.”

“So they have a choice to make. It’s a choice for them to make. I’m very clear about the choice they should make, but I’m also clear that the UK has a decision to make that could lead to far greater pain for the Iranian regime unless they get serious about the international desire to see them step back from their nuclear ambitions,” he added.

Meanwhile, a French diplomatic source told Reuters on Tuesday that European powers would have to restore UN sanctions on Iran if there were no nuclear deal that guaranteed European security interests.

The source spoke after a call between French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Lammy ahead of a Franco-British summit.

Last Thursday, France threatened “retaliatory measures” against Tehran if it persisted with new charges against a French couple held in Iran, including accusations that they spied for Israel.

Snapback Mechanism

France, Britain and Germany - the E3 – are threatening to activate the snapback mechanism that would reinstate all United Nations Security Council sanctions previously levied on Iran.

According to diplomats, the E3 countries may trigger the snapback by August if no substantial deal can be found by then. The window closes on October 18.

UN resolution 2231 allows a State Party to the agreement to address a complaint to the Security Council about significant non-performance by another JCPOA participant.

Within 30 days of receiving such a notification, the UN Security Council shall vote on a draft resolution to either maintain the termination of previous sanctions or allow them to be reimposed.

European powers are considering triggering the snapback mechanism after Iran's decision to suspend cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).