Iran launches large-scale military drills to boost deterrence

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
12 Jun 2025 15:07

Iran's top military official says the 2025 "Eghtedar drills" will be tailored to counter regional threats and demonstrate the armed forces' evolving capabilities.

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In this photo provided Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, by the Iranian Army, tanks move forward during a drill in southeastern Iran (Iranian Army via AP)

Iran’s Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, has ordered the commencement of a new round of nationwide military exercises aimed at reinforcing the country’s defensive and deterrent power.

The 2025 series, titled the "Eghtedar drills" [Drills of Authority], will be conducted under the operational code phrase “Ya Ali ibn Abi Talib (PBUH),” according to a statement released by Bagheri.

Highlighting the objectives of the drills, Bagheri said the exercises are intended “to enhance the defensive strength, operational readiness, and deterrence capabilities of Iran’s armed forces.”

This year’s drills come with adjustments to the usual military schedule and have been strategically timed to reflect Iran’s evolving security assessments. The maneuvers are reportedly structured to address emerging regional threats and adversarial movements.

Iran warns US bases across region in range, will strike if provoked

Iran’s Defense Minister, Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh, announced on Wednesday that all US military bases across the region are within striking distance of Iranian missiles. The warning comes amid growing regional tensions and reflects Iran’s firm posture against continued foreign military presence near its borders.

“In case of any conflict, the US must leave the region because all its bases will be within our range,” Nasirzadeh told reporters at a cabinet meeting. He added that Iran would not differentiate between the bases and the host countries harboring them, emphasizing that any aggression would be met with decisive retaliation.

With diplomacy floundering in a state of uncertainty, Nasirzadeh underscored Iran’s readiness to confront any imposed conflict. “God willing, the talks will come to a result,” he said, “but if it does not come to an end and a conflict is imposed on us, the casualties of the other party will definitely be much heavier than ours.”

New missile test marks strategic advancement

Brigadier General Nasirzadeh also revealed that Iran had successfully tested a powerful new missile equipped with a two-ton warhead. “Our most recent achievement came last week when we successfully tested a missile carrying a two-ton warhead, with excellent results,” he stated.

The defense minister hailed the successful launch as a testament to Iran’s indigenous defense capabilities. “We have made very good progress in defense affairs. Our operational forces are fully equipped,” he added, affirming Iran’s determination to develop self-reliant military strength.

Tehran’s message is clear: the era of unchecked US military dominance in the region is over. With enhanced missile capability and a doctrine rooted in deterrence and national dignity, Iran has positioned itself as a regional power unwilling to bow to threats or foreign pressure.

As Western powers attempt to dictate regional dynamics, Iran’s advancements serve not only as a military signal but also as a political assertion of its sovereign right to defend itself and resist hegemony or coercion.