NICOSIA — Iran has launched a major military exercise designed to
test combat doctine as well as indigenous weaponry.
Iran's military launched the first stage of Operation Blow of Zolfaghar
on Saturday near the Pakistan border in wake of Hizbullah's war against
Israel.
The military said the exercise would move to 15 other provinces throughout
the country, Middle East Newsline reported.
"The enemy has gone insane because of the capabilities of Lebanon's
Hizbullah," Iranian Army commander Maj. Gen. Ataollah Salehi said. "And
given the insane enemy's history, we should always be prepared."
Officials said Zolfaghar would demonstrate a new anti-aircraft doctrine
to repel any Israeli or U.S. air strike on Iran's nuclear facilities. They
said the exercise would also test a range of indigenous air and ground
platforms.
"The main objective of this operation is to adopt up-to-date tactics and
use new equipment to be able to respond to possible threats, enabling us to
confront the enemy in several fronts in the country," Brig. Gen. Kiumars
Heydari, spokesman for the exercise, said. "We have been alert and watching
global developments and we have invested in both modern tactics and
equipment."
This was the first major Iranian exercise since April 2006. During a
week-long exercise, Iran demonstrated a range of surface-to-air, anti-tank
and sea missiles.
"Army commandos, parachutists, mobile shoulder-firing units, electronic
war forces and rapid reaction units enjoying high combat capability will
demonstrate their readiness during the wargames," Heydari said.
