Iran showcases missile force in five cities amid regional strain
Note: AI technology was used to generate this article’s audio.
- Iran launches large-scale missile drills across major cities including Tehran and Isfahan.
- Officials say missile defenses are a red line and not open to negotiation.
Iran staged large-scale missile drills in five cities, including the capital Tehran, Isfahan, and Mashhad, in a show of force amid rising international tensions and renewed military threats.
Read more: Iran accuses ‘Israel’ of staging Bondi Beach attack
The exercises were presented by Iranian officials as a deterrence message, underscoring Tehran’s insistence on preserving its missile capabilities despite mounting Western pressure.
“A non-negotiable red line”
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the drills reflect the country’s long-standing defense doctrine. Spokesman Esmail Baghaei told a press conference that Iran’s ballistic missile systems form “the backbone of national defense” and are not subject to political bargaining.
“Our defensive capabilities are a red line that does not accept negotiation,” Baghaei said, adding that Iran has no intention of scaling back its missile program despite sanctions and diplomatic pressure.
Regional tensions linger
The maneuvers come against the backdrop of heightened regional strain following a 12-day military confrontation in June, during which ‘Israeli’ and US strikes targeted Iranian nuclear and military sites.
Read more: Another ‘Israeli’ ground incursion jolts southern Syria
Iranian authorities said the confrontation left nearly 1,000 people killed inside Iran. Tel Aviv later acknowledged that Iranian missile strikes hit 26 sites inside ‘Israel’, intensifying Western concern over Tehran’s missile arsenal.
Washington weighs options
Meanwhile, US media reports said Pentagon officials are preparing new military options to present to President Donald Trump, fueling speculation about potential further escalation.
Iran maintains that its domestically produced drones and ballistic missiles are purely defensive, while regional and Western powers view them as a major threat to stability.
As rhetoric hardens on all sides, Monday’s drills signal that Tehran intends to keep its missile program at the center of its deterrence strategy, leaving the region facing an uncertain and volatile path ahead.
