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)
TT
20

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.



Iran Hangs Three More Accused of Spying for Israel

The life of Ahmadreza Djalali is at imminent risk, he wife said - AFP
The life of Ahmadreza Djalali is at imminent risk, he wife said - AFP
TT
20

Iran Hangs Three More Accused of Spying for Israel

The life of Ahmadreza Djalali is at imminent risk, he wife said - AFP
The life of Ahmadreza Djalali is at imminent risk, he wife said - AFP

Iran on Wednesday hanged three men convicted of spying for Israel after what activists decried as an unfair trial, bringing to six the number of people executed on such charges since the start of the war between the Islamic republic and Israel.

The hangings have also amplified fears for the life of Swedish-Iranian dual national Ahmadreza Djalali who has been on death row for seven-and-a-half years after being convicted of spying for Israel which his family vehemently denies.

The executions also bring to nine the number of people executed by Iran on espionage charges since the start of 2025, with activists accusing Tehran of using capital punishment as a means to instil fear in society.

Idris Ali, Rasoul Ahmad Rasoul and Azad Shojai were executed earlier Wednesday in the northwestern city of Urmia, the judiciary said, the day after a truce between the Islamic republic and Israel came into effect, AFP reported.

They had "attempted to import equipment into the country to carry out assassinations," it added.

Iran had executed three other men accused of spying for Israel since the start of the conflict on June 13, in separate hangings on June 16, June 22 and June 23.

"The Islamic Republic sentenced Idris Ali, Rasoul Ahmad Rasoul, and Azad Shojai to death without a fair trial and based on confessions obtained under torture, accusing them of espionage," Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR), told AFP.

He said Ali and Shojai were two border porters -- known locally as kolbar -- who carry goods over the border.

"They were arrested on charges of smuggling alcoholic beverages but were forced to confess to espionage for Israel," he said. Ali and Shojai were members of Iran's Kurdish minority while Rasoul, while also Kurdish, was an Iraqi national.

- 'Imminent risk' -

He warned that in the coming weeks the lives of "hundreds" more prisoners sentenced to death were at risk. "After the ceasefire with Israel, the Islamic republic needs more repression to cover up military failures, prevent protests, and ensure its continued survival."

Djalali was arrested in 2016 and sentenced to death in October 2017 on charges of spying following what Amnesty International has termed "a grossly unfair trial" based on "'forced confessions' made under torture and other ill-treatment."

Long held in Tehran's Evin prison, which was hit by an Israeli strike on Monday before the truce, he has now been transferred to an unknown location, raising fears that his execution could be imminent, his family and government said.

"He called me and said, 'They're going to transfer me.' I asked where, and he said, 'I don't know,'" his wife Vida Mehrannia told AFP.

"Is it because they want to carry out the sentence? Or for some other reason? I don't know," she said, adding that she was "very worried" following the latest executions.

The Swedish foreign ministry said it had received information that he has been moved to an "unknown location" and warned there would be "serious consequences" for Sweden's relationship with Iran were he to be executed.

Amnesty International said Tuesday it was "gravely concerned" that he "is at imminent risk of execution".

- 'Grossly unfair trials' -

Rights groups say defendants in espionage cases are often convicted under vaguely-worded charges which are capital crimes under Iran's sharia law including "enmity against god" and "corruption on earth".

Analysts say that Israel's intelligence service Mossad has deeply penetrated Iran, as shown by its ability to locate and kill key members of the Iranian security forces in the conflict. But rights groups say that those executed are used as scapegoats to make up for Iran's failure to catch the actual spies.

Iran's judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei had ordered swift trials against people suspected of collaborating with Israel with rights groups saying dozens of people have been arrested since the conflict started.

"A rush to execute people after torture-tainted 'confessions' and grossly unfair trials would be a horrifying abuse of power and a blatant assault on the right to life," said Hussein Baoumi, deputy regional director for the Middle East and North Africa at Amnesty International.

According to IHR, Iran has executed 594 people on all charges this year alone.