TEHRAN – The Iranian Army will hold a military exercise in the Sea of Oman, north of the Indian Ocean and parts of the Red Sea, using a combination of new warfare, deputy chief of the force Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said Saturday.
Preparations for the joint drill, codenamed Zolfaqar-1400, have already been made and the main stage of the exercise will begin on Sunday, he said.
The war game involves forces from the Army Ground Force, Navy, Air Force, and Air Defense, the general added, noting that the drill theater covers an area of over 1 million square kilometers southeast of Iran, stretching from the eastern parts of the Strait of Hormuz to the northern parts of the Indian Ocean, down to the 10-degrees latitude, and parts of the Red Sea.
He said a broad range of homegrown equipment and ammunition, including advanced reconnaissance and combat drones with various ranges, will be utilized in the war game.
The upcoming drill is aimed at raising the combat and defense capabilities of the Army units in protecting the country’s territorial integrity, the commander stated.
Iranian troops, he said, will be demonstrating the Islamic Republic’s power in remote waters during the war game, warning the enemies that any act of aggression against Iran will draw a crushing response from the Army.
Iran’s armed forces hold routine military exercises throughout the year.
Officials have repeatedly said the country will not hesitate to strengthen its military capabilities, including its missile power, which are entirely meant for defense, and that Iran’s defense capabilities will be never subject to negotiation.