Tehran flexes military muscle with record-breaking exercises as Trump era returns to Washington

Iran’s armed forces have significantly increased the scale and frequency of their winter military drills this year, a move aimed at showcasing strength in the face of mounting regional tensions and the return of Donald Trump to the US presidency.

These exercises, which began recently, will run until mid-March, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeini, spokesperson for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, announced on January 6 that approximately 30 joint drills involving land, air, and naval forces are underway across six western and southern provinces,

“The number of drills has nearly doubled compared to last year in response to the changing threat landscape,” Naeini told reporters during a briefing in Tehran.

“These manoeuvres are larger in scale and complexity, featuring advanced weaponry and greater participation from operational brigades engaged in realistic scenarios.”

The drills include operations near critical sites such as the Natanz nuclear facility, a central hub for uranium enrichment. The largest naval exercise is planned for the Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime choke point through which a third of the world’s oil supply is transported. Iran has previously hinted it could close the strait in retaliation for measures aimed at curbing its crude oil exports.

The exercises come shortly before Trump’s inauguration this month, raising concerns in Tehran over the potential revival of his “maximum pressure” policy against Iran. During his first term, Trump withdrew the US from a nuclear agreement with Tehran and reimposed economic sanctions.

Members of Trump’s new administration have signalled intentions to renew pressure on Iran over its nuclear activities, prompting fears in Tehran of possible Israeli strikes on its nuclear sites with US support. Iranian officials have suggested openness to fresh negotiations but remain wary of escalating tensions.

Brigadier General Naeini dismissed perceptions of weakness, stating, “The enemy is misjudging the situation, attempting to portray the Islamic Republic as diminished. Iran is fully prepared for complex, large-scale conflicts and confident in its deterrent capabilities.”

Iran faces additional challenges following setbacks in the region. The collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, a key ally, has disrupted Tehran’s ability to maintain its “axis of resistance,” which includes Hezbollah, Hamas, and other allied groups across the Middle East.

Meanwhile, 100,000 members of the Revolutionary Guards’ voluntary Basij militia are expected to hold a march in Tehran on January 10 further underscoring Iran’s readiness to respond to perceived threats.

“We have considered all scenarios and are conducting proportionate exercises,” Naeini said. “The Islamic Republic will not initiate any war in the region but will respond decisively to any provocation.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev