The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) of Iran reportedly conducted military exercises on Tuesday, which involved testing new weaponry. This occurred alongside military official Ali Larijani preparing to announce Iran’s latest stance in negotiations with the United States, as President Trump gears up for his State of the Union address.
According to Iranian state media, these exercises took place in southern Iran. The live fire operation incorporated various weapons and newly adopted combined tactics, utilizing the latest technology across multiple operational facets.
The tests included unmanned aerial vehicles, naval and amphibious forces, artillery, and ground-based anti-ship missiles. Brig. Gen. Mohammad Karami, commander of the IRGC ground forces, stated that one aim of the exercise was to showcase how effectively Iran’s diverse land, sea, air, and missile forces could collaborate against unspecified security threats.
Iranian media reported that “new tactics” and “modern combat techniques” were employed. The Fars news agency also mentioned that “micro-drones and loitering weapons” were tested, notably the latest version of Iran’s Shahed suicide drone.
Fars further claimed that the Revolutionary Guards tested “new missile systems” designed for “pinpoint strike precision” and “enhanced warheads,” including missiles capable of changing targets mid-flight.
The training was clearly intended as a display of strength, notably following last week’s naval exercises conducted by the Revolutionary Guards. These were filmed in the Strait of Hormuz, illustrating Iran’s strategic use of its geopolitical advantages in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.
In essence, it seems Iran is trying to signal its capability to close the Strait of Hormuz, potentially disrupting global shipping in the event of U.S. military intervention.
While these exercises unfolded, Ali Larijani, head of the Supreme National Security Council, was set to depart for Oman. He was recently appointed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to oversee Iran’s military operations, particularly in context of the recent uprising that threatened the government. There are concerns that if Khamenei were to face airstrikes from the U.S., maintaining control over military operations would be crucial.
Larijani is expected to communicate Iran’s official response to Washington’s latest offer in Oman, where the country has been mediating between the U.S. and Iran during ongoing negotiations. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi mentioned that a “draft agreement” would be presented to the U.S. this week.
On the other hand, President Trump is likely to address the situation in Iran during his SOTU speech, which starts at 9 PM ET on Tuesday night. He has recently indicated that successful negotiations with Iran—or, if necessary, military action—are essential for advancing the Gaza peace initiative, as Iran is a significant supporter of groups like Hamas.
