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Iranian forces have held military exercises involving ballistic missiles amid heightened tensions over the country s nuclear program and a U.S. pressure campaign against Tehran.
Iranian state television reported on January 15 that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) launched several surface-to-surface ballistic missiles against simulated enemy bases in the country s central desert as part of the exercises.
It said that the drill included Zolfaghar and Dezful ballistic missiles, as well as bomb-carrying drones.
Iran has a missile capability range of up to 2,000 kilometers, enough to reach its sworn enemy, Israel, and U.S. military bases in the Middle East.
The entities are accused of manufacturing “lethal equipment” for Iran’s military, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, a U.S.-designated terrorist group.
Iran to step up border security in coordination with Turkey
Vehicles of Turkish Armed Forces in Hatay, Turkey on 17 February 2020 [Burak Milli/Anadolu Agency] January 15, 2021 at 3:07 pm
Iran and Turkey are to enhance border security in a coordinated effort according to the commander of Iran s border guards, Brigadier General Ahmed Ali Kuderzi.
Kuderzi made the announcement following a meeting held via video conference with other senior border officials from the Iranian provinces of west Azerbaijan and Kurdistan and the commander of the Turkish gendarmerie. During these talks, security issues and possible problems at the borders were discussed, he is quoted as saying yesterday by the
What’s new? The 2015 Iran nuclear deal has looked at best shaky since the Trump administration withdrew from it in 2018, imposing damaging economic sanctions on the Islamic Republic. In response, Tehran ramped up its nuclear activity in contravention of its obligations under the agreement. President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration could mark an inflection point.
Why does it matter? Having failed to achieve its objectives, Trump’s “maximum pressure” strategy may be nearing an end. Restoring the nuclear deal, with its considerable non-proliferation benefits, could lead to wider U.S.-Iran diplomatic engagement. But one or both sides may be tempted to make additional demands, which would be a recipe for deadlock.