TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking on Monday, Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri referred to the ongoing maneuver dubbed “Defensive Strength and Offensive Operations from the Persian Gulf Islands,” calling the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz “invincible fortresses” and “national honor” for Iranians.

He said the exercises, involving new tactic and equipment, are part of the annual program to prepare for the security of this strategic region, adding that responsibility for defending the islands and securing the strategic waterway lies with the IRGC Navy.

Rear Admiral Tangsiri continued by saying that the rapid and decisive response of the IRGC operational units to maritime insecurity plots is at the center of the drills that safeguard the interests of countries navigating through the strait.

According to him, the IRGC’s surveillance is strategic in ensuring the security of passage, and therefore, the navy’s oversight of the Strait of Hormuz but is comprehensive, covering surface, aerial and subsurface movements.

Underscoring the critical role the Strait of Hormuz plays in regional and global trade, the navy commander noted that more than 80 oil tankers and commercial ships pass through the strait every day and the IRGC surveillance is aimed at ensuring secure passage for non-hostile countries whose economic interests are linked to this waterway.

He said the exercises, involving new tactic and equipment, are part of the annual program to prepare for the security of this strategic region, adding that responsibility for defending the islands and securing the strategic waterway lies with the IRGC Navy.

Rear Admiral Tangsiri continued by saying that the rapid and decisive response of the IRGC operational units to maritime insecurity plots is at the center of the drills that safeguard the interests of countries navigating through the strait.

According to him, the IRGC’s surveillance is strategic in ensuring the security of passage, and therefore, the navy’s oversight of the Strait of Hormuz but is comprehensive, covering surface, aerial and subsurface movements.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) In a message marking the anniversary of Operation Valfajr 8 and its “wise” designation as the Day of the IRGC Intelligence Protection Organization, General Pakpour described the body as one of the strategic reserves of the IRGC.

“The IRGC Intelligence Organization, as one of the strategic reserves of this sacred institution, has over more than four decades, through silent, continuous and intelligent efforts, played an irreplaceable role in safeguarding the IRGC against the enemy’s sinister attempts and conspiracies aimed at infiltration, disruption and creating instability,” he said.

He added, “Intelligent prevention, safeguarding spirituality, insight and organizational integrity, and continuous vigilance have provided the ground for the successful execution of the IRGC’s critical and sensitive missions across various arenas.”

“The IRGC Intelligence Organization, as one of the strategic reserves of this sacred institution, has over more than four decades, through silent, continuous and intelligent efforts, played an irreplaceable role in safeguarding the IRGC against the enemy’s sinister attempts and conspiracies aimed at infiltration, disruption and creating instability,” he said.

He added, “Intelligent prevention, safeguarding spirituality, insight and organizational integrity, and continuous vigilance have provided the ground for the successful execution of the IRGC’s critical and sensitive missions across various arenas.”

“The IRGC Intelligence Organization, as one of the strategic reserves of this sacred institution, has over more than four decades, through silent, continuous and intelligent efforts, played an irreplaceable role in safeguarding the IRGC against the enemy’s sinister attempts and conspiracies aimed at infiltration, disruption and creating instability,” he said.

He added, “Intelligent prevention, safeguarding spirituality, insight and organizational integrity, and continuous vigilance have provided the ground for the successful execution of the IRGC’s critical and sensitive missions across various arenas.”

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TEHRAN (Iran News) IRGC spokesperson Second Brigadier General Ali Mohammad Naeeni said on Thursday that the United States has been waging psychological warfare against Iran in recent days, using coercion and intimidation to instill fear among the Iranian people following its defeats in the 12-day war in June and the latest unrest earlier this month.

“White House officials have been left confused and frustrated in the face of Iran’s resistance to the armed sedition and the 12-day war. After the swift and decisive defeat of the US plot in Iran, they have been desperately seeking to stoke tensions and inject false fear into Iranian society,” Naeeni said, according to the IRGC’s official news website, Sepah News.

He said that enemies have encountered the Iranian people and their national unity every time they have sought to take action against the country. “This time, they are trying to negatively influence the feelings and perceptions of the Iranian public through psychological warfare.”

Commenting on US threats of military action against Iran, the IRGC official said that the reality on the ground differs from the enemy’s media propaganda, adding that the Iranian Armed Forces have control of the field and possess action plans to counter any adversarial scenario.

“The experience of the 12-day war showed that the military option against Iran has failed, and it is the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic that determine the endgame of any war through their initiative,” he noted.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Brigadier General Vali Madani, speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, said the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran are proud to host this exercise—under the auspices of the IRGC Ground Forces—in Shabestar, East Azerbaijan, following Iran’s two-year membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

The general noted that the exercise was initiated in September 2024 by the order of the late Major General Baqeri and later assigned to the IRGC Ground Forces by the late Major General Hamdani, Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC.

Brig. Gen. Madani explained that after coordination meetings and submission of the exercise plan to the SCO Executive Committee in Uzbekistan, the committee’s chair and secretary visited Iran in 2025 to finalize arrangements.

He added that the SCO Executive Committee schedules an annual counter-terrorism exercise, with Iran and the IRGC being the fourth country and military force to host such an event.

The countries participating as SCO members include Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Russia, Pakistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Kazakhstan, Iran, India, and Belarus. Neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Oman, and Iraq are participating as guest observers.

Brig. Gen. Madani said the five-day exercise began on Sunday with the arrival of operational team leaders, with the main phase starting today.

He emphasized that the exercise’s main focus is counter-terrorism, noting that “terrorists recognize no geographical boundaries and can pose threats in any country.”

The general highlighted the exercise’s objectives, including enhancing the military knowledge of commanders and personnel in counter-terrorism operations and facilitating the sharing of experiences among member countries.

“This exercise aims to unify member countries in a common goal against terrorism and strengthen cooperation among them,” he said.

Brig. Gen. Madani also stressed the significance of holding this exercise after the 12-day conflict, describing Sahand 2025 as the first comprehensive field operation exercise conducted within Iran.

He explained that the IRGC, leveraging its field experience, took responsibility for organizing the exercise, which is also seen as a strategic step toward forming a regional coalition under the SCO framework. Senior military officials from all member and guest countries are participating.

The exercise includes 20 heads of high-ranking military delegations, 60 chiefs of staff, and 40 operational forces. Operational activities will take place over three days, with staff briefings and operational planning conducted beforehand. The main exercise, scheduled for December 4, is designed by a special unit of the IRGC Ground Forces, integrating all specialized operational areas.

Brig. Gen. Madani confirmed that live ammunition will be used in all five stages, and operational teams will engage simulated terrorists with full force. The main operations are expected to last approximately three hours in a controlled counter-terrorism environment.

The exercise’s official slogan, he added, is: “Comprehensive Effort to Combat Terrorism,” which aligns with the agenda of all SCO member states.

According to IRNA, the five-day Sahand 2025 joint counter-terrorism exercise is being held in Shabestar County, East Azerbaijan Province, hosted by the IRGC Ground Forces in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with 18 high-level delegations from SCO member states and regional military and security organizations participating.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Colonel Shahram Asgari, deputy head of Public Relations Department of the IRGC Ground Forces, announced on Monday that the Sahand-2025 exercise has been designed in accordance with directives from the General Staff of the Armed Forces, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Executive Committee of Shanghai Cooperation Organization Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO-RATS).

He emphasized the strategic importance of this exercise in enhancing regional security cooperation.

Colonel Asgari highlighted Iran’s longstanding commitment to combating terrorism, noting that the country has been a central figure in the fight against terrorist groups.

He pointed out that over 17,000 Iranian citizens, including women and children, have fallen victim to terrorist attacks over the past decades.

The exercise commenced on December 1 and will last for five days at the military operations area (MOA) in Shabestar County.

The exercise is expected to strengthen international cooperation against terrorism and enhance the capabilities of participating nations in addressing security challenges in the region.

He emphasized the strategic importance of this exercise in enhancing regional security cooperation.

Colonel Asgari highlighted Iran’s longstanding commitment to combating terrorism, noting that the country has been a central figure in the fight against terrorist groups.

He pointed out that over 17,000 Iranian citizens, including women and children, have fallen victim to terrorist attacks over the past decades.

The exercise commenced on December 1 and will last for five days at the military operations area (MOA) in Shabestar County.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Heidar Honarian-Mojjard, commander of IRGC Navy’s Second Naval Zone, told reporters on Sunday that the vessel, carrying 350,000 liters of smuggled gasoline, was identified and transferred to the coast of Bushehr Province under a judicial order.

He said the vessel had been smuggling fuel from Iran, adding that the seized cargo was returned to the country under a judicial decree and handed over to the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company’s department in Bushehr.

The commander did not specify the total number of people on board the vessel. He said 13 of the sailors were Indian nationals and another was from a neighboring country of Iran.
All 14 individuals were detained, he added.

He said the vessel had been smuggling fuel from Iran, adding that the seized cargo was returned to the country under a judicial decree and handed over to the National Iranian Oil Refining and Distribution Company’s department in Bushehr.

The commander did not specify the total number of people on board the vessel. He said 13 of the sailors were Indian nationals and another was from a neighboring country of Iran.
All 14 individuals were detained, he added.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) According to the statement released late on Monday, the operation was part of the ongoing Martyrs of Security drills conducted in the southeastern region of Iran.

The IRGC forces successfully identified and apprehended several members of a terrorist group affiliated with the Ansar al-Shaitan organization, the statement added.

Further details regarding the operation are expected to be released soon, as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) In a statement on Saturday, the IRGC Navy said the “operation was carried out in line with legal duties and to protect the national interests and resources of the Islamic Republic of Iran.”

According to the statement, the IRGC’s rapid reaction units began monitoring the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker “Talara” on the early morning of Friday after a court ordered the seizure of the vessel.

The tanker, loaded with 30,000 tons of petrochemical materials and heading for Singapore, was guided to anchorage for an investigation into its violations.

The Navy noted that a full review of the cargo and verification of its documentation was conducted and that it was established that the ship was “carrying unauthorized cargo.”

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TEHRAN (Iran News) In a significant address during a memorial ceremony for the martyrs of the IRGC Aerospace Force in Tehran on Thursday, the brigadier general stated that Ayatollah Khamenei has defined a range for the missiles and the IRGC will proceed accordingly.

Fadavi emphasized that the enhancement of Iran’s military capabilities continues unabated across all sectors, particularly in aerospace. He dismissed claims from adversaries regarding potential limitations on Iran’s ballistic missile range, labeling such assertions as uninformed and lacking expertise.

In a related statement, the spokesperson for the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi asserted that the Aerospace Force progresses with greater strength and authority.

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TEHRAN (Iran News) Members of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission of the Iranian Parliament met with Major General Pakpour and a group of his deputies, IRGC officials, as well as Majid Khademi, Head of the IRGC Intelligence Organization on Monday.

“In this meeting, Major General Pakpour presented a report on the activities of the IRGC in recent months and since the beginning of its mission, especially during the 12-Day War and the series of actions that the IRGC had taken in various sectors, including the Aerospace Force, to defeat the Zionist regime, and also provided an analysis of the conditions in the country and the region,” Spokesperson for the commission Ebrahim Rezaei said.

Stating that General Pakpour announced the full and maximum readiness of the IRGC to confront any threat and evil, Rezaei said that General Pakpour also emphasized that the preparedness of the IRGC today are greater than during the 12-day imposed war and that they are at the peak of readiness.

“In this meeting, Major General Pakpour presented a report on the activities of the IRGC in recent months and since the beginning of its mission, especially during the 12-Day War and the series of actions that the IRGC had taken in various sectors, including the Aerospace Force, to defeat the Zionist regime, and also provided an analysis of the conditions in the country and the region,” Spokesperson for the commission Ebrahim Rezaei said.

Stating that General Pakpour announced the full and maximum readiness of the IRGC to confront any threat and evil, Rezaei said that General Pakpour also emphasized that the preparedness of the IRGC today are greater than during the 12-day imposed war and that they are at the peak of readiness.

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