Azernews.Az

Friday March 29 2024

Iran assures missiles tests in line with nuclear test

20 February 2017 17:07 (UTC+04:00)
Iran assures missiles tests in line with nuclear test

By Kamila Aliyeva

The Ground Forces of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution also known as Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) conduct military exercises called "Peyhambar e-Azam" (Great Prophet) in the desert, in the central part of the country.

During exercises, IRGC forces have been conducting tests of various types of advanced missile systems, including guided missiles, ISNA news agency reported.

During the three-day exercises, several units of the IRGC will demonstrate their combat skills and technical capabilities.

The first phase of this three-day maneuver started on Monday under the motto of “Presentation of Power and Sustainable Security” with various units of Iranian Revolutionary Guard force such as artillery, air defense, drone, infantry and air force units in attendance.

During this phase, the positions of the mock enemy were hit by advanced and smart rockets with pinpoint accuracy.

This security-defensive drill will last till Wednesday during which elite units will display their high defensive preparations in fighting against mock threats from foreign invaders.

Iran held a number of the large-scale military exercises over the past few years to improve the defense capabilities of its armed forces.

On February 4, the IRGC Aerospace started the major phase of defense exercises in an area of 35,000 square kilometers in an effort to demonstrate Iran’s power, intelligence command, and defense readiness to counter any threats.

Different types of missile and radar systems, which are designed and manufactured by Iranian specialists and which have diverse ranges, will be used during the exercises.

Earlier, Tehran’s ballistic missile tests caused concerns among their international partners but Iranian foreign minister spokesman Bahram Qasemi said that the Islamic Republic’s missile program is about Iran and its people, and doesn't concern others.

On January 29, Iran test-fired a medium-range ballistic missile, capable of carrying a 500-kilogram payload with a range of 300 kilometers.

The United States insisted that the Iranian test violated UNSC Resolution 2231 which compels Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles and the U.S. Treasury Department imposed new sanctions on Iran due to Tehran’s missile program.

Iran's Defense Minister Hossein Dehghan stated that Tehran “will not allow foreigners to interfere” in the defense matters of the country and insisted that “the test did not violate the nuclear deal or UN Resolution 2231.”

The negotiations on the Iranian nuclear issue began in 2004, as Western nations were accusing Tehran of developing a "secret military nuclear program. Since 2006, negotiations with Iran were led by the "six" of international mediators (the five permanent UN Security Council members and Germany).

The long-awaited deal was achieved in Vienna on July 14, 2015, that committed Iran not to produce weapons-grade plutonium for 15 years, to keep no more than 300 kg of enriched uranium to 3.67 percent, and to convert nuclear facilities and use them exclusively for peaceful purposes.

---

Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz

Loading...
Latest See more