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.



France Plans to Take Iran to Int’l Court over Citizen Detentions

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (R) during a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ministers of Foreign Affairs meeting in Brussels, Belgium, 03 April 2025.  EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (R) during a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ministers of Foreign Affairs meeting in Brussels, Belgium, 03 April 2025. EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET
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France Plans to Take Iran to Int’l Court over Citizen Detentions

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (R) during a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ministers of Foreign Affairs meeting in Brussels, Belgium, 03 April 2025.  EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot (R) during a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Ministers of Foreign Affairs meeting in Brussels, Belgium, 03 April 2025. EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET

Two French citizens held in Iran for almost three years have not had consular services for more than a year prompting Paris to prepare a complaint at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), France's foreign ministry said on Thursday.
Cecile Kohler and her partner Jacques Paris have been held since May 2022. Iranian state television aired a video later that year with them appearing to confess to acting on behalf of French intelligence services, something categorically denied by Paris.
Held in Tehran's Evin prison, France has accused Iran of keeping them in conditions akin to torture.
French officials have toughened their language towards Iran, notably over the advancement of its nuclear program and regional activities, but also the detention of European citizens in the country.
Speaking after a rare cabinet meeting to broadly discuss Iran on Wednesday, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot indicated Paris would soon take the matter of violating the right to consular protection to the ICJ.
"We are putting together a complaint that we will file at the ICJ," Foreign ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine told reporters at a news conference on Thursday, adding that the Kohler and Paris were being held in "shocking" conditions.
According to Reuters, Lemoine declined to say when it would be filed and acknowledged that procedures at the ICJ were long, but insisted that Tehran needed to be called out on the issue because the embassy and consulate had not had access to their citizens for more than a year.
"It's in violation of Iran's obligations," he said, citing the Vienna convention on consular relations.
In recent years, Iran's Revolutionary Guards have arrested dozens of dual nationals and foreigners, mostly on charges related to espionage and security.
Rights groups have accused Iran of trying to extract concessions from other countries through such arrests.
Iran, which does not recognize dual nationality, denies taking prisoners to gain diplomatic leverage.