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Latest drill proved enemies will be obliterated before nearing Iran islands: IRGC Navy cmdr.

In this picture released on December 20, 21, a missile is fired during the first day of a large-scale military exercise, codenamed the Great Prophet 17. (Photo by Fars news agency)

The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy says the elite military force’s latest drill sent a warning to the enemies that the country will annihilate them before they can even get close to its southern islands in the Persian Gulf.

Speaking on Tuesday on the sidelines of a large-scale military exercise, codenamed the Great Prophet 17, Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said the IRGC naval forces participating in the drill had managed to practice firm defense of the southern islands.

In the drill, “we demonstrated that we will obliterate the enemies before they can even approach the islands,” he said. “In case a portion of the enemies’ [fleet] manages to slip through [the defenses], we have a plan for them as well and we will target them with obstructive weapons.”

He said the forces succeeded in accurately using Iranian-made specialized weaponry and ammunition during the exercise, describing it as a “source of pride” for the country.

On the other hand, the drill had a “message of peace” for friendly neighbors of Iran, said Tangsiri, adding, “We the countries of the region can fully ensure the security of the Persian Gulf and shared waters via collective cooperation, and we do not need the presence of extra-regional countries at all.”

“Today, the Armed Forces stand fully prepared, under the leadership of Commander-in-Chief Ayatollah [Seyyed Ali] Khamenei, to redirect fire back toward extra-regional forces and set them on fire if they ever seek to ignite fire in the region,” he added.

The Great Prophet 17 drills kicked off on Monday, covering the coastlines of the southern Iranian provinces of Hormozgan, Bushehr, and Khuzestan.

On Tuesday, the IRGC aerospace forces flew unmanned aerial vehicles, and the aircraft struck a series of fixed and mobile targets on the ground and in the sea using bombs with pinpoint accuracy.

Iran’s Armed Forces hold routine military exercises throughout the year.

Iranian military experts and technicians have in recent years made great progress in developing and manufacturing a broad range of domestically-manufactured equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient in this regard.

Iranian officials have repeatedly underscored that the Islamic Republic will not hesitate to build up its defense capabilities, emphasizing such abilities are entirely meant for the purpose of defense and will be never subject to negotiations.


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