The Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced joint missile exercises in southern Iran set to begin in the coming hours, according to official statements. The IRGC asserted that its missiles can navigate and alter their course to evade air defense systems and can change targets mid-flight, marking a significant technological boast amid regional tensions.
The Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced joint missile exercises in southern Iran on Monday evening, with the IRGC providing additional details about the capabilities of its missile arsenal. The joint drills, described as beginning 'in the coming hours,' represent a continuation of Iran's military posturing amid ongoing regional friction with Israel and the United States.
In statements reported by Iranian state-aligned channels, the IRGC asserted: 'Our missiles are capable of navigating and changing their course to evade air defense systems. Even if a specific target is assigned to a missile, we can change that target mid-course and designate a secondary target.' The claim, if accurate, would represent a significant technological upgrade over earlier Iranian missiles, which follow predictable ballistic trajectories.
The Zioneer reported earlier Monday (17:57 Jerusalem) that the Iranian Army had initially announced the drills without the IRGC's missile-capability commentary. Monday's update suggests Tehran is leveraging the exercise announcement to amplify its deterrence message. The timing aligns with a broader campaign of IRGC verbal threats in recent months, including warnings of 'destructive space missiles' and a declared shift to wartime protocols.
The joint nature of the exercise—combining the regular Iranian Army with the IRGC—is notable, as the two branches usually operate independently. The southern Iran location likely points to launches near the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway where the IRGC has been active.
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