Arash Aramesh

The Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic have carried out a number of military exercises in the past twelve months, most of which have either been missile tests or naval exercises in the strategically important waters of the Persian Gulf. Iran is planning to carry out yet another exercise May 5 in the Sea of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.

Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, commander of the Iranian Navy, said his forces will begin a new series of naval exercises named “Velayat 89”in the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman on May 5.

According to Mehr, a semi-official news site, Sayyari said this exercise has six stages, one of which is the psychological warfare which has already begun. The most important phase of this exercise, said Sayari, is the fourth phase during which the Iranian Navy will practice its tactical abilities.

The Commander of the Iranian Navy said one of the main objectives of this exercise is to show the world Iran’s naval power and capabilities.

On April 22, the Naval Forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard’s Corps carried out a series of naval exercises in the Persian Gulf. According to Brig Gen Hossein Salami, the commander of IRGC Naval Forces, the intended goal of that exercise was to demonstrate Iran’s defensive capabilities in the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

In addition to numerous military exercises, the Iranian government has been unveiling a number of new weapons systems in recent months. On May 4, Brig Gen Ahmad Vahidi, Iran’s minister of defense, unveiled a new anti-aircraft system claimed to be manufactured in Iran. These new systems, which are called Mesbah and Mersad, are designed to defend Iran’s airspace presumably against areal strikes on sensitive Iranian targets.

According to Fars news, a pro-government site with ties to the IRGC, Defense Minister Vahidi announced May 5 that new air defense systems are being developed by Iranian experts and Iran’s defense industry is going to unveil a number of new missile and naval weapons this year.

The large number of back- to- back military exercises and unveiling of new weapons systems suggest that the Iranian government is trying to show the world and the people of Iran that it is capable of defending its territory. High-ranking Iranian military leaders such as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Maj Gen Hassan Firouzabadi have warned the United States and Israel that any attack against Iran will not be left without a response.

In addition to conventional military means, Iran has a number of unconventional methods in its arsenal that can be used against American and Israeli interests in the region and around the world. The IRGC has successfully trained and supported groups such as Hezbollah and continues to provide material and ideological support to Shiite groups in Iraq. The IRGC has also been accused of supporting insurgents in Afghanistan.