50 Iranian drones conduct massive ‘way to Jerusalem’ exercise – report

A military vehicle carrying Iranian Zoobin smart bomb (L) and Sagheb missile under pictures of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (R) and Late Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini during a parade to commemorate the anniversary of the Iran-Iraq war (1980-88), in Tehran September 22, 2011.. (photo credit: REUTERS/STRINGER)

 

The point of the drill is to showcase Iran’s military prowess. It comes in the wake of a large naval drill in February and frequent new tests of ballistic missiles.

Iran’s Defense Ministry announced on Thursday that it had launched a massive exercise involving 50 drones that are based on a US Sentinel drone the Iranians captured in 2011. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it was the strongest exercise of its kind to date.

‘Missiles will fall on their HEADS’ Iran threatens Donald Trump in ‘showcase of POWER’

IRAN has performed a series of missile and radar tests in a bid to “showcase its power” to Donald Trump.

In a bullish retaliation to Trump’s decision to impose sanctions on the country yesterday, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said the aim of the drill in the Semnan province was to “showcase the power of Iran’s revolution and to dismiss the sanctions”.

Iranian state media reported the drill would test tech military equipment including homemade missile systems, radars, command and control centres and cyber warfare systems.

Iran: U.S. Encouraging Islamic Republic to Keep Illicit Missile Tests Secret

A senior Iranian military commander claimed that U.S. officials are quietly encouraging the Islamic Republic to keep its illicit ballistic missile tests a secret so as not to raise concerns in the region, according to Persian language comments.

Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps’ Aerospace and Missile Force, said in recent remarks that the Obama administration does not want Iran to publicize its ongoing missile tests, which have raised questions about the Islamic Republic’s commitment to last summer’s comprehensive nuclear agreement.

Iran shows off underground base with long-range missiles

The official indicated that the July agreement did not place restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities, as it was aimed at blocking the regime from acquiring nuclear weapons. On Sunday, Iran said it had successfully tested a new domestically produced long-range missile, claiming the weapon was the first of its kind that could be guided all the way to targets.

 

Revolutionary Guards say secret facility is just ‘tip of the iceberg’, comes days after Tehran test-fires new rocket

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) — Iran’s Revolutionary Guard opened the doors of a secret underground missile base to state TV Wednesday, showing off medium- and long-range missiles.

The station aired footage of long tunnels with ready-to-fire missiles on the back of trucks. The broadcast said the facility is one of hundreds of underground missile bases around the country. It didn’t disclose the location but said it was 500 meters (1,600 feet) underground.

Iran commander says could launch pre-emptive strike on Israel

(Reuters) – Iran could launch a pre-emptive strike on Israel if it was sure the Jewish state were preparing to attack it, a senior commander of its elite Revolutionary Guards was quoted as saying on Sunday.

Amir Ali Hajizadeh, a brigadier general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, made the comments to Iran’s state-run Arabic language Al-Alam television, according to a report on the network’s website.

“Iran will not start any war but it could launch a pre-emptive attack if it was sure that the enemies are putting the final touches to attack it,” Al-Alam said, paraphrasing the military commander.

Full article: Iran commander says could launch pre-emptive strike on Israel (Reuters)