Iran Continues to Arm its Air Defense Units with Missile-Equipped Drones

(FILES) This file handout picture provided by the Iranian Army on May 28, 2022, reportedly shows military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) at an underground base in an undisclosed location in Iran. (Photo by Iranian Army office / AFP)
(FILES) This file handout picture provided by the Iranian Army on May 28, 2022, reportedly shows military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) at an underground base in an undisclosed location in Iran. (Photo by Iranian Army office / AFP)
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Iran Continues to Arm its Air Defense Units with Missile-Equipped Drones

(FILES) This file handout picture provided by the Iranian Army on May 28, 2022, reportedly shows military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) at an underground base in an undisclosed location in Iran. (Photo by Iranian Army office / AFP)
(FILES) This file handout picture provided by the Iranian Army on May 28, 2022, reportedly shows military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones) at an underground base in an undisclosed location in Iran. (Photo by Iranian Army office / AFP)

Iran announced on Wednesday that it has reinforced its air defense forces in the east and southwest of the country with Karrar drones armed with Majid Air-to-Air Missiles.
Iran’s IRNA news agency quoted a commander of the air defense in the eastern region of Iran as saying that the success of the operational test of armed drones with air combat capabilities led to a significant improvement in the air defense capability, and had a direct impact on increasing the strength of deterrence.
The agency noted that the Majid air defense missile, a domestic product, is equipped with advanced thermal and optical seekers, greatly enhancing its tracking and interception capabilities.
It added that the Karrar drone “succeeded in its operational tests” during military exercises held in October.
For its part, Fars news agency reported that the drone was delivered to the southwestern air defense zone in the presence of a gathering of military commanders in the city of Mahshahr.
Last Sunday, Iran said it has reinforced its air defense capabilities by adding combat drones equipped with air-to-air missiles to its arsenal.
The drones, with an operational range of up to 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), were exhibited during a televised ceremony organized at a military academy in Tehran in the presence of the commander-in-chief of Iran's army, General Abdolrahim Mousavi.
Fars said that the locally made Karrar drone, which has been equipped with the Majid thermal missile, can destroy enemy aircraft at a much lower cost than manned combat aircrafts.
The agency added that the drone has an ability to fly at an increased speed, to carry all types of missiles and to higher flight level.

 

 

 



North Korea, Russia Reportedly Aim to Open New Road Bridge Soon

Officials attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the bridge connecting North Korea and Russia in Rason Municipality, North Korea, April 30, 2025 (Reuters file photo)
Officials attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the bridge connecting North Korea and Russia in Rason Municipality, North Korea, April 30, 2025 (Reuters file photo)
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North Korea, Russia Reportedly Aim to Open New Road Bridge Soon

Officials attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the bridge connecting North Korea and Russia in Rason Municipality, North Korea, April 30, 2025 (Reuters file photo)
Officials attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the bridge connecting North Korea and Russia in Rason Municipality, North Korea, April 30, 2025 (Reuters file photo)

North Korea and Russia aim to open a road bridge connecting the countries across the Tumen River as soon as possible, North Korean state media KCNA said on Thursday, as the neighboring countries forge closer ties.

The project, which began about a year ago, is "an important business" to boost bilateral cooperation including tourism, trade and the movement of people, KCNA said, according to Reuters.

Construction of the 850-meter (2,789-ft) bridge, which will connect to Russia's highway system, was agreed during a ⁠2024 visit to North Korea ⁠by President Vladimir Putin.

Russia and North Korea held a ceremony on Tuesday to mark the joining of the bridge, the Moscow Times reported.

It is being built near the existing "Friendship Bridge,” a rail bridge which was commissioned in 1959 after the Korean War.

KCNA said an opening ceremony would be held soon, without specifying a date. The Russian embassy in ⁠Pyongyang wrote on Telegram that the bridge would be completed on June 19.

Oleg Kozhemyako, governor of the Primorsky region in Russia's Far East, wrote on Telegram that the bridge would increase trade and expand cultural and tourism ties. He said it would cut the distance between Vladivostok and the border city of Rason to 320 kilometers and the crossing would have the capacity to accommodate up to 300 cars per day.

The update came as several Russian delegations visited North Korea this week.

Russian Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev met Jo Yong Won, chairman of the Standing Committee of North ⁠Korea's Supreme People's ⁠Assembly, on Wednesday in what KCNA described as a "favorable atmosphere."

On Tuesday, Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko visited the North Korean city of Wonsan to attend a ceremony celebrating the construction of a hospital symbolizing the "friendship" between the countries, KCNA said.

Russia and North Korea in 2024 signed a "comprehensive strategic partnership treaty" during Putin's visit to Pyongyang.

The pact includes a mutual defense provision, and North Korea has sent thousands of soldiers to fight alongside Russian forces in western Russia's Kursk region after a large Ukrainian incursion.

China has also been seeking to strengthen cross-border infrastructure and rebuild ties with North Korea and last month saw the first passenger train service between the countries resume after a six-year gap.


Pentagon: US Navy Secretary Leaving Post 'Immediately'

FILE - Secretary of the Navy John Phelan listens as President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago club, Dec. 22, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)
FILE - Secretary of the Navy John Phelan listens as President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago club, Dec. 22, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)
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Pentagon: US Navy Secretary Leaving Post 'Immediately'

FILE - Secretary of the Navy John Phelan listens as President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago club, Dec. 22, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)
FILE - Secretary of the Navy John Phelan listens as President Donald Trump speaks at his Mar-a-Lago club, Dec. 22, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, file)

The Pentagon announced Wednesday that the Secretary of the Navy John Phelan would leave "immediately.”

It gave no reason for his sudden departure, the latest removal of a senior officer under President Donald Trump's combative Pentagon chief, Pete Hegseth.

Under orders from Trump, the US Navy is attempting to block vessels heading to or from Iranian ports, seeking to ramp up pressure on the Iranian economy even without all-out war.

Iran's vow not to reopen the Strait of Hormuz -- so long as a US naval blockade remained in place -- was held into Thursday despite a ceasefire extension.


Military Planners Discuss in London Reopening of Hormuz

FILED - 22 May 2025, United Kingdom, London: UK Defense Secretary John Healey listens to questions  during a press conference at Strategic Command Headquarters, in Northwood, Greater London. Photo: Thomas Krych/PA Wire/dpa
FILED - 22 May 2025, United Kingdom, London: UK Defense Secretary John Healey listens to questions during a press conference at Strategic Command Headquarters, in Northwood, Greater London. Photo: Thomas Krych/PA Wire/dpa
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Military Planners Discuss in London Reopening of Hormuz

FILED - 22 May 2025, United Kingdom, London: UK Defense Secretary John Healey listens to questions  during a press conference at Strategic Command Headquarters, in Northwood, Greater London. Photo: Thomas Krych/PA Wire/dpa
FILED - 22 May 2025, United Kingdom, London: UK Defense Secretary John Healey listens to questions during a press conference at Strategic Command Headquarters, in Northwood, Greater London. Photo: Thomas Krych/PA Wire/dpa

Military planners from more than 30 countries held two-day talks in London on Wednesday to advance a mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and draw up detailed plans, the British government said.

More than a dozen countries said last week they were willing to join an international mission, led by Britain and France, to protect shipping in the ⁠Strait of Hormuz ⁠when conditions permit.

The commitment came after some 50 countries from Europe, Asia and the Middle East joined a video conference aimed at sending a signal to Washington after US President ⁠Donald Trump said he did not need allies' help.

Britain's Ministry of Defense said in a statement the meeting that started Wednesday would build on progress made at last week's talks, Reuters reported.

"The task, today and tomorrow, is to translate the diplomatic consensus into a joint plan to safeguard freedom of navigation in the Strait and support ⁠a ⁠lasting ceasefire," said UK defense minister John Healey.

"I am confident that, over the next two days, real progress can be made."

Britain said the talks would advance military plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz once conditions allow, following a sustainable ceasefire.

Participants were expected to discuss military capabilities, command and control arrangements, and how forces could deploy to the region.