IRGC Commander: Ballistic Missile Drills Firm Response to Sanctions

“Our enemies have realized that broader sanctions and security pressures have had little impact on our capabilities. That’s why they now seek to confine us in the missile field through economic sanctions,” General Jafari said Tuesday on the sidelines of the main stage of the IRGC missile drills.

He said defense power and national security is Iran’s redline and non-negotiable, adding that the ballistic missile firings proved the IRGC’s silos are operational.

He further noted that “the security of Iran is the security of the region, and we will do our utmost to ensure our country’s security.”

“It is the enemies of the Islamic Revolution and regional security that should be afraid of the IRGC missiles,” he added.

The IRGC began the main stage of its ballistic missile exercises on Tuesday.

Called ‘Eqtedar-e Velayat’, the command, tactical and special exercises are being conducted in the presence of Major General Jafari as well as Commander of IRGC Aerospace Force Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh.

The drills are meant to test advanced missile defense systems as well as showcase the deterrence power and the clout of the IRGC forces in defending the country’s territorial integrity against foreign threats.

The maneuvers are being held in different geographical locations, using ballistic missiles fired from silos.

In relevant remarks today, General Hajizadeh said the IRGC’s ballistic missiles hit targets 700km in distance with great precision and considerable operational capabilities during a series of drills in Central Iran.

“At the start of the main phase of Eqtedar-e Velayat exercises, the missiles fired from (underground) silos hit their targets 700km in distance,” Hajizadeh told reporters during the drill.

He said in a show of Iran’s deterrent power against any threat over the past few days, the IRGC has also fired various types of ballistic missiles from spread out underground sites with a range of 2,000km, 800km, 500km and 300km.

In relevant remarks last month, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi said the IRGC planned to test-fire its new weaponry in new wargames.

“The large-scale drills will be staged within the framework of the Armed Forces’ stated goals: training, testing and using new products,” Firouzabadi told reporters in Tehran.

He said that the defense ministry tests its weapons and equipment in advance as part of a routine training cycle designed to improve defense.

Elaborating on the IRGC drills, Firouzabadi said the exercises are meant to improve cooperation and coordination, prepare the Armed Forces for any possible attack, and contribute to their qualitative military edge.

“Testing and evaluating precision-striking capabilities and power, increasing the Armed Forces’ preparedness, and strengthening the missile deterrence power are among the main goals of the drills,” he added.

Iranian Armed Forces recently test-fired different types of newly-developed missiles and torpedoes and tested a large number of home-made weapons, tools and equipment, including submarines, military ships, artillery, choppers, aircrafts, UAVs and air defense and electronic systems, during massive military drills.

Defense analysts and military observers say that Iran’s wargames and its advancements in weapons production have proved as a deterrent factor.

The officials have always underscored that the country’s defense program cannot be affected by the nuclear deal clinched between Iran and the world powers on July 14 and the UN Security Council resolutions.

On October 11, Iran successfully test-fired the country’s new precision-guided long-range ballistic missile that can be controlled until the moment of impact. Emad carries a conventional warhead.

“This missile (Emad) which has been fully designed and made by Iranian Defense Ministry’s scientists and experts is the country’ first long-range missile with navigation and strike controlling capability; it is capable of hitting and destroying the targets with high-precision,” Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan told reporters after the successful test of Emad missile.

The Iranian Defense Minister reiterated that the manufacture and successful testing of Emad missile is a technological and operational jump in a strategic field, and said, “We don’t ask for anyone’s permission for boosting our defense and missile power; we resolutely continue our defense programs, specially in the missile field, and Emad missile is a conspicuous example.”

General Dehqan reiterated that the mass production and delivery of Emad missile to the country’s Armed Forces will considerably increase their power and tactical capabilities.