Iran launches post-war naval drill, signals military strength

Tehran, Aug 21 (AP) Iran has initiated its first military exercise following a 12-day conflict with Israel, according to a Thursday report from state television. Naval vessels commenced missile launches targeting locations in the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean. While such drills are routine in the Islamic Republic, the 'Sustainable Power 1404' exercise aims to convey strength post-war, which led to Israeli forces targeting Iran's air defense systems, nuclear facilities, and other sites.

The report detailed the navy's plan to fire cruise missiles and deploy drones over open waters, although no immediate footage from the exercise was broadcast. Iran's navy, staffed by approximately 18,000 personnel, reportedly did not face significant threats during the June conflict. Operating primarily from Bandar Abbas, the navy patrols the Gulf of Oman, the Indian Ocean, and the Caspian Sea. In contrast, the Persian Gulf and its key access point, the Strait of Hormuz, are predominantly patrolled by Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard. Known for seizing Western vessels amid the fallout of Iran's 2015 nuclear agreement, the Guard vigilantly monitors US Navy ships entering the region. Since the conflict ended, Iran has vocally asserted its readiness to counter prospective Israeli aggression.

Defense Minister Brig Gen Aziz Nasirzadeh recently disclosed that Iran has outfitted its military with advanced missiles, as per a report from the state-run IRNA news agency. He stated, "In response to any potential enemy adventurism, our forces are prepared to use these new missiles effectively." Concurrently, Iran has halted its cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which has been overseeing its nuclear sites, as Tehran has enriched uranium to near weapons-grade levels amid ongoing tensions.

France, Germany, and the UK, co-signatories of Iran's nuclear deal, have issued a cautionary statement that unless Tehran resolves its dispute with the IAEA by August 31, they will reinstate all United Nations sanctions previously lifted by the agreement. Despite already facing American sanctions since 2018, analysts warn that reimposed UN sanctions could further destabilize Iran's fragile economy. (AP)

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