Iran is preparing for its second military drill in recent months along its border with Turkey, according to Iran’s senior defense commanders, who have stated Tehran will deploy missile and electronic warfare systems in northwestern Iran, as reported by the Milliyet daily on Monday.
“The [Revolutionary] Guards and the military will carry out a drill involving the entire air defense system,” an Iranian Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Farzad Ismaili, told Iranian media on Sunday.
The main purpose for the military drill, according to Ismaili, is the protection of the country’s nuclear facilities. “Our nuclear facilities are our top priority,” Ismaili said. In addition to the air defense system, bombers and fighter jets will participate in the drill. There will also be unexpected scenarios played out to test the country’s crisis management.
In a talk with Iran’s Mehr news agency, northwestern air defense command head Rasoul Rezvani-Kia said there are already more than 300 military bases in the northwestern region of the country. Iran borders Turkey and Iraq in the northwest.
In normal conditions, Iran typically carries out two military training operations a year. It has been suggested by political analysts that another military training drill has been planned so soon after Iran’s regular military exercises in July as a response to claims by Israel that it will attack Iran.
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