Iran’s Air Force Concludes Annual Training Drills

An Iranian fighter jet at the beginning of the annual training for army forces in Isfahan province (Reuters)
An Iranian fighter jet at the beginning of the annual training for army forces in Isfahan province (Reuters)
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Iran’s Air Force Concludes Annual Training Drills

An Iranian fighter jet at the beginning of the annual training for army forces in Isfahan province (Reuters)
An Iranian fighter jet at the beginning of the annual training for army forces in Isfahan province (Reuters)

The Iranian Army announced concluding two-day annual exercises on Monday, following the US’ deployment of warships and additional forces to the Gulf region to deter Iranian threats, particularly after Iran’s attempted seizure of oil tankers last month.

According to the official news agency “IRNA,” forces conducted the maneuvers involving 11 air bases across the country, commencing on Sunday evening. The exercises took place near the Natanz nuclear facility in Isfahan province and covered the Gulf region, the Strait of Hormuz, and border areas in the northeast and northwest of Iran.

More than 90 fighter jets and drones participated in the maneuvers, as reported since Sunday.

Air Force Commander Brig. Gen. Hamid Vahedi stated that the exercises conveyed a message of friendship, peace, and security in the region.

He emphasized that sustainable security, improving and strengthening regional relations, peaceful coexistence, and defending territorial airspace were among the key objectives.

Among other things, the Air Force conducted drills on suicide drone attacks (kamikaze) and fighter jets.

The government-affiliated agency “Mehr” stated that the exercises included the use of a 500-pound bomb dropped from a drone to target ground sites.

Last week, the US announced its decision to deploy additional “F-35” and “F-16” fighter jets, along with a warship, to the Middle East to monitor vital waterways in the region in response to Iran’s seizure and harassment of commercial vessels in recent months.

In response to the US military movement, Iranian Army Commander Abdolrahim Mousavi stated that the Americans have been present in the region due to illusions for years, asserting that regional security could only be achieved through the participation of regional countries.

He added that the presence of foreign forces in the area would only result in insecurity and harm to the people and countries in the region, as reported by the “Tasnim” agency affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards.

In turn, Chief of Staff Mohammad Bagheri confirmed that the military’s aerial exercises had achieved their designated objectives.

The Iranian navy has been accused by the US of obstructing civilian navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the adjacent Oman Gulf.



Pakistan Military Court Jails 25 over 2023 Attacks

Supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan hold his posters during a gathering by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to observe Martyrs' Day to honor those who allegedly died during last month's protest, in Peshawar on December 15, 2024. (Photo by Abdul MAJEED / AFP)
Supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan hold his posters during a gathering by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to observe Martyrs' Day to honor those who allegedly died during last month's protest, in Peshawar on December 15, 2024. (Photo by Abdul MAJEED / AFP)
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Pakistan Military Court Jails 25 over 2023 Attacks

Supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan hold his posters during a gathering by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to observe Martyrs' Day to honor those who allegedly died during last month's protest, in Peshawar on December 15, 2024. (Photo by Abdul MAJEED / AFP)
Supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan hold his posters during a gathering by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party to observe Martyrs' Day to honor those who allegedly died during last month's protest, in Peshawar on December 15, 2024. (Photo by Abdul MAJEED / AFP)

Twenty-five civilians were sentenced by a Pakistani military court to periods of two to 10 years of "rigorous imprisonment" in connection with attacks on military facilities in 2023, the armed forces' media wing said on Saturday.
The ruling underscores concerns among supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan that military courts are going to play a bigger role in cases involving the 72-year-old, who is facing multiple charges including allegedly inciting attacks against the armed forces.
Thousands of Khan supporters stormed military installations and torched a general's house on May 9, 2023 to protest against the former premier's arrest by paramilitary soldiers. At least eight people were killed in the violence.
The military's Inter-Services Public Relations office said the sentences handed down on Saturday were an "important milestone in dispensation of justice to the nation,” Reuters reported.
"It is also a stark reminder to all those who are exploited by the vested interests and fall prey to their political propaganda and intoxicating lies, to never take law in own hands," it added in a statement.
Others charged over the violence were being tried in anti-terrorism courts but justice would only be fully served "once the mastermind and planners ... are punished as per the Constitution and laws of the land," the military said.
The ruling comes days after Khan was indicted by an anti-terrorism court on charges of inciting attacks against the military. An army general who served under him as his spy chief, Faiz Hamid, is facing a military investigation on the same charges.
Pakistan's Supreme Court last week allowed military courts to announce verdicts in concluded trials of nearly 85 supporters of Khan on charges of attacking army installations, however it made such verdicts conditional on the outcome of appeals against the jurisdiction of military courts over civilians.
The court last year provisionally allowed military courts to try civilians.