Iran's Army Ground Force Plans Deployment of New Missile Types

An Iranian missile being transported in Syria. (The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
An Iranian missile being transported in Syria. (The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
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Iran's Army Ground Force Plans Deployment of New Missile Types

An Iranian missile being transported in Syria. (The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
An Iranian missile being transported in Syria. (The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)

Iranian Army Ground Force Commander Brigadier General Kiumars Heidari announced on Saturday the completion of development for two new types of missiles, with mass production set to commence soon.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces has approved these missiles, to be unveiled shortly, and “substantial quantities” are being prepared for production, stated Heidari.

While the ground forces are not planning extensive maneuvers in the upcoming months, Heidari mentioned deploying missile units along the border to enhance readiness. This move, he clarified, is not in response to a specific threat but aims to maintain preparedness, intelligence dominance, and familiarity with the country's border geography.

Heidari revealed that 11 mobile and combat brigades have been stationed at the borders.

“By spring, the army's ground forces plan to carry out limited maneuvers,” he said, detailing the new deployment structure consisting of ten units on the borders, five drone platoons, and five missile units.

Discussing the “successful” maneuver conducted in October as part of the Eghtedar 1402 military exercise, Heidari highlighted the participation of infantry regiments, armored divisions, missile and artillery units, the Ground Force airborne division, drone units, electronic warfare units, and support teams from the Air Force.

According to a report from Mehr News Agency, the maneuvers focused on "addressing threats and anticipating changes in the combat organization of the army’s ground forces."

Revenge to ‘Kerman’

In another context, Heidari pledged to avenge the Jan. 3 terrorist bombings in the southeastern city of Kerman and that the enemies “would face punishment for their heinous actions.”

The twin bombings in Kerman have killed 91 people and injured around 300 others.

ISIS claimed responsibility for the two explosions in the crowd that gathered at a memorial for al-Quds Force Commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in a US airstrike in Baghdad in early 2020.

Iran's Ministry of Intelligence said later on it identified the mastermind behind the bombings at a cemetery in Kerman, also announcing the arrest of 35 individuals suspected of involvement in the attacks.

Communications intercepts collected by the United States confirmed that ISIS Afghanistan-based branch carried out the twin bombings in Iran, two sources familiar with the intelligence told Reuters.

"The intelligence is clear-cut and indisputable," one source said.



White House Envoy Says Iran Deal Hinges on Verification of Uranium Enrichment and Weapons 

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff speaks to members of the news media outside of the West Wing of the White House in Washington, US, March 6, 2025. (Reuters)
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff speaks to members of the news media outside of the West Wing of the White House in Washington, US, March 6, 2025. (Reuters)
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White House Envoy Says Iran Deal Hinges on Verification of Uranium Enrichment and Weapons 

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff speaks to members of the news media outside of the West Wing of the White House in Washington, US, March 6, 2025. (Reuters)
US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff speaks to members of the news media outside of the West Wing of the White House in Washington, US, March 6, 2025. (Reuters)

White House special envoy Steve Witkoff said on Monday that a diplomatic agreement with Iran will depend on working out details around verification of the country's uranium enrichment and weapons programs.

"This is going to be much about verification on the enrichment program, and then ultimately verification on weaponization," Witkoff said in an interview on Fox News' Hannity.

"That includes missiles, the type of missiles that they have stockpiled there, and it includes the trigger for a bomb."

President Donald Trump said on Monday he believes Iran is intentionally delaying a nuclear deal with the United States and that it must abandon any drive for a nuclear weapon or face a possible military strike on Tehran's atomic facilities.

Trump spoke to reporters after Witkoff met in Oman on Saturday with a senior Iranian official.

Both Iran and the United States said they held "positive" and "constructive" talks. A second round is scheduled for Saturday, and a source briefed on the planning said the meeting was likely to be held in Rome.

The US and Iran held indirect talks during former President Joe Biden's term, but they made little, if any progress. The last known direct negotiations between the two governments were under then-President Barack Obama, who spearheaded the 2015 international nuclear deal that Trump later abandoned.