Iran has nearly doubled the number of its annual winter military exercises, a move seen as a response to the shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East and the upcoming presidency of Donald Trump in the United States. According to a report from the Financial Times, the country’s armed forces have initiated approximately 30 land, air, and maritime drills across six provinces, with plans to continue until mid-March. These exercises, involving both the Revolutionary Guards and Iran’s conventional military forces, are designed to address “new threats,” though specific details have not been disclosed.
Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini, spokesperson for the Revolutionary Guards, highlighted that the scope and sophistication of this year’s exercises have significantly expanded, with new weaponry and an increased number of participating brigades. The drills include operations near sensitive locations, such as the Natanz nuclear facility, and the largest maritime exercise will take place in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments. Iran has previously threatened to close the strait in retaliation for actions that could disrupt its oil exports.
This increased military activity comes at a time of heightened tension following the election of Donald Trump, whose administration has vowed to reinstate the “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran. The campaign, which includes the re-imposition of sanctions and opposition to Iran’s nuclear program, follows Trump’s decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal during his first term. Iran is also under significant pressure from regional developments, including Israel’s military actions against Iranian proxies and the broader fallout from the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. Iran’s regional influence has been challenged, especially with the destabilization of Syria, a key ally, disrupting its military and financial support for groups like Hezbollah and Hamas.
Despite these pressures, Iran is projecting strength. Naeini told FT that the country’s military drills are part of a strategy to demonstrate readiness for large-scale conflicts and assert its deterrent capabilities. “Iran has been preparing for complex, large-scale conflicts and remains confident in its deterrent capabilities,” he said, emphasizing that the country would respond decisively to any threats, though it would not initiate conflict in the region.
