TEHRAN -- Iran’s military has begun drills near the Natanz nuclear enrichment plant in the center of the country as part of exercises planned nationwide.
The drills – dubbed Eqtedar or “might” in Farsi – have involved the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) alongside the army.
“The first phase of the joint Eqtedar exercises in the air defense zone of the Natanz nuclear facility has commenced under the orders of the air defense headquarters commander,” national broadcaster said.
It added that IRGC air forces are undertaking “an all-out point defense” of the site “against a multitude of air threats in tough electronic warfare conditions”.
On Monday, IRGC spokesman Ali Muhammad Naini said the drills, which will also cover other parts of Iran until mid-March, are being conducted in response to “new security threats”.
Several branches of the IRGC, including the navy and the paramilitary Basij forces, will also take part in the exercises, he added.
Last week, U.S. news website Axios reported that White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan had presented President Joe Biden with options for a potential U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities before January 20, when Donald Trump takes office.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei lambasted the reports, saying threats against the country’s nuclear facilities are “a gross violation of international law”.
Tensions soared after the United States, during Trump’s first term in office, withdrew from a landmark nuclear deal that offered Tehran sanctions relief in return for curbs on its nuclear program.
Members of Trump’s incoming administration have vowed to resume the former president’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran.
On Monday, Gen. Naeini announced that about 30 land, air and maritime drills have commenced across six western and southern provinces and will continue until mid-March.
“The number of drills has almost doubled this year compared to last year, in response to the evolving threat landscape,” Naeini was quoted as saying on the sidelines of a press briefing in Tehran. “These exercises are significantly larger in scope and sophistication, featuring new weaponry and expanded participation of brigades engaged in realistic operations.”
The largest maritime exercise is set to take place in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint through which one-third of the world’s oil supply is shipped.
“The enemy is displaying false enthusiasm while misinterpreting the situation, trying to portray the Islamic Republic as weakened,” Naeini told reporters. “Iran has been preparing for complex, large-scale conflicts and remains confident in its deterrent capabilities.”
Additionally, 100,000 members of the Basij forces are expected to march in Tehran this Friday.
“We have considered all possible scenarios and are conducting realistic and proportionate exercises,” Naeini said. “The Islamic Republic will not initiate any war in the region but will respond decisively to any threats.”