Iran Launches Drills on Targeting Vessels by Suicide Drones

A handout picture provided by the Iranian Army media office on October 4, 2023 shows locally-made drones during a military drill at an undisclosed location in Iran. (Photo by Iranian Army office / AFP)
A handout picture provided by the Iranian Army media office on October 4, 2023 shows locally-made drones during a military drill at an undisclosed location in Iran. (Photo by Iranian Army office / AFP)
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Iran Launches Drills on Targeting Vessels by Suicide Drones

A handout picture provided by the Iranian Army media office on October 4, 2023 shows locally-made drones during a military drill at an undisclosed location in Iran. (Photo by Iranian Army office / AFP)
A handout picture provided by the Iranian Army media office on October 4, 2023 shows locally-made drones during a military drill at an undisclosed location in Iran. (Photo by Iranian Army office / AFP)

The Iranian Army has launched drones on navy targets amid a British condemnation of Iran launching a satellite into space that uses technology essential for ballistic missiles.

The training is part of maneuvers witnessing the participation of the electronic warfare unit, in addition to units from land, navy, and aerial forces.

The maneuvers are focused on the use of various kinds of UAVs.

IRGC-affiliated news agencies Tasnim and Fars published pictures of the launching of the Kararr drone.

The government-affiliated ISNA agency reported from the media body speaking for the maneuvers that the Karrar UAV tried for the first time to develop its combat capabilities from a land platform to an aerial platform in the desert.

The statement added that the drones are equipped with surface-to-surface missiles and designed to be used in aerial battles.

General Alireza Sheikh, the spokesperson for the drills, said that the use of this type of drone is “an extremely complicated process” adding that it would lead to “an effective deterrence.”

He went on to say that drones help the country increase defense, enhance tactical defense and the flexibility of air defense from a land platform to an aerial platform, and reduce costs and the risky use of individuals.

“A drone targeted another drone with a missile in an aerial combat (mission) which has been done for the first time in the country and we managed to destroy the targeted drone,” said Brigadier General Alireza Sabahi Fard, the commander of the Iranian Army's Air Defense Force.

The commander of the Iranian Army Air Force, Brigadier General Hamid Vahedi, said that his forces are keen on upgrading the drones’ capabilities.

The Iranian army showed in footage the targeting of a vessel by a suicide drone in the Gulf of Oman.

In the past two years, the army has acquired new weapons including missiles and drones that were exclusively used by the IRGC for years.

The army’s drills come two weeks before the deadline of the “Sunset Clause” stipulated in the nuclear deal timeline by which ballistic missiles and drone sanctions are lifted in the fifth year of Iran’s compliance with the nuclear deal obligations.

Donald Trump's Administration withdrew from the nuclear deal in May 2018. Iran started to violate the deal’s obligations four years ago without fully withdrawing from it.

The European forces affirmed maintaining the sanctions against Iran due to its role in supplying Russia with drones in the war against Ukraine and its failure to comply with the deal.

The commander-in-chief of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, noted that the incorporation of pinpoint accuracy into ballistic missiles is a very complicated process, stating that Iran is among the three countries that exclusively possess such technical know-how.

Iran has successfully placed a third imaging satellite in orbit, a move that will likely garner more criticism from the Western world over fears that Tehran is using this as a cover to acquire transcontinental missiles with a potential 4,500-km range.

UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has released a statement in response to Iran launching the Noor-III satellite on September 27.

“Iran announced the successful launch of the Noor-III satellite using the Qased Space Launch Vehicle which uses technology essential for the development of a long-range ballistic missile system,” it said.

“Iran’s actions further prove its disregard of international restrictions and highlight the grave threat posed by the regime to global security.”

The statement added: “Alongside partners, the UK remains committed to taking every diplomatic step to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and to hold the regime to account for its malign activity around the world.”

State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a press conference on Monday that the US believes “their missile – that those specific launchers are in violation – are in violation of the ballistic missile – the UN Security resolutions that relate to ballistic missiles with respect to Iran.”



Ukraine’s Zelenskiy Says There Is Now a Good Chance to End War

 Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks to Ukrainian Muslim service members before sharing an iftar with them, a meal to break their fast at sunset, during the holy month of Ramadan, in a mosque in Kyiv, Ukraine March 13, 2025. (Reuters)
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks to Ukrainian Muslim service members before sharing an iftar with them, a meal to break their fast at sunset, during the holy month of Ramadan, in a mosque in Kyiv, Ukraine March 13, 2025. (Reuters)
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Ukraine’s Zelenskiy Says There Is Now a Good Chance to End War

 Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks to Ukrainian Muslim service members before sharing an iftar with them, a meal to break their fast at sunset, during the holy month of Ramadan, in a mosque in Kyiv, Ukraine March 13, 2025. (Reuters)
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks to Ukrainian Muslim service members before sharing an iftar with them, a meal to break their fast at sunset, during the holy month of Ramadan, in a mosque in Kyiv, Ukraine March 13, 2025. (Reuters)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Friday that he saw a good chance to end the war with Russia after Ukraine accepted a US proposal for a 30-day interim ceasefire and Moscow said it would only agree if certain conditions were met.

"Right now, we have a good chance to end this war quickly and secure peace. We have solid security understandings with our European partners," Zelenskiy said on X.

"We are now close to the first step in ending any war – silence," he said, referring to a truce.

Speaking to reporters, Zelenskiy urged the US and other allies to apply pressure on Moscow, reiterating his belief that Russian President Vladimir Putin will delay reaching a ceasefire as long as possible.

"If there is a strong response from the United States, they will not let them play around. And if there are steps that Russia is not afraid of, they will delay the process," Zelenskiy told media.

He said that the ceasefire along a more than 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) frontline could be controlled with US help via satellites and intelligence. Washington resumed intelligence sharing and military aid after US and Ukrainian officials met in Saudi Arabia this week and Ukraine accepted the ceasefire.

Zelenskiy also said that officials at that meeting discussed the issue of territory, but a difficult dialog would be required to resolve it.

"The issue of territories is the most difficult after the ceasefire," Zelenskiy said at a media briefing.

With the war is in its fourth year, Russian forces control nearly a fifth of Ukrainian territory and they have steadily advanced in the eastern Donetsk region in recent months.

"The ceasefire unblocks the way for the sides to end the war. And the territories ... will be the point that makes it possible to end the war after this issue is resolved," the Ukrainian president said.

Moscow has demanded that Kyiv permanently cede territory claimed by Russia including Crimea and four other regions, a position Ukraine has rejected.

Zelenskiy said he was discussing with Kyiv's allies future security guarantees and also economic support, adding that 100% air defense cover would be required as deterrence in a peace deal.