Iran announced on Friday that it has successfully conducted an air defence drill utilizing drones aimed to intercept hostile targets in an area spanning from its southern to southeastern shores, amid rising regional tensions.
Pakistan launched air attacks against separatist militants within Iran on Thursday in retaliation, two days after Tehran claimed to have targeted the bases of another group within Pakistan’s territory.
The tit-for-tat strikes were the most high-profile cross-border intrusions in recent years, raising concerns about greater instability in the Middle East since Israel’s war with Hamas began on October 7.
“Iranian forces have successfully launched a new air defence method that uses drones to intercept and target hostile targets”, a spokesman for the Iranian Armed troops stated.
The two-day drills, which began on Thursday, will span a region ranging from Abadan in southern Khuzestan province to Chahbahar in southeastern Sistan and Baluchistan province, which borders Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The exercises included participation from the army’s air force and navy, as well as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) aerospace force and navy.
Iran and Pakistan have a history of strained relations, but both have expressed a willingness to reduce tensions following this week’s strikes.
Against the backdrop of the Gaza conflict, Iran and its militia allies in the Middle East have launched attacks on Israeli and US targets in the region in support of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.
Iran has also launched strikes on Islamic State targets in Syria and Iraq, claiming to have destroyed an Israeli espionage centre.
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