Azernews.Az

Iran is set to hold military exercises later this week, being staged in the Eastern region of the country, Fars news agency reported.

Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force Brigadier General Mohammad Pakpour said the "Great Prophet VIII" exercises will be held in Iran's Kerman, Sirjan and Sirous provinces.

Speaking at the press conference, Pakpour noted that the exercise will last for three days, occupying a large area, and the drills is set to start on Saturday, Feb. 23.

He said that new ground combat systems will be tested at the exercises, adding that the details of the held exercises will be publicized later.

Iran held "Great Prophet VII" exercises in July 2012, where long, medium, and short-range missiles were used.

Fighter jets and unmanned bombers will also be used on the final day of the exercise.

According to Tehran, the exercises were held solely to demonstrate the country's defense abilities under the slogan "peace and friendship."

Iran announced that the drills are a "message of peace and friendship to countries of the region." The Islamic Republic stated it felt no exterior threat, apart from the U.S. and Israel, and that the missiles pose no danger to Europe.