Iran kicks off its annual military drill while authorities crackdown on anti-government protests 

Iran’s military kicked off its annual drill on Friday, while authorities continue to crackdown on anti-government protests that have been under way for more than three months. 

Drones, fighter jets, and helicopters have been rolled out to participate in exercises taking place near the strategic Strait of Hormuz in the Gulf of Oman, State TV has reported.

It also said that commandos and airborne infantry would participate in the ‘Zolfaghar-1401’ games, along with military transport aircraft and submarines. 

Iran’s military is to fire missiles and air defence systems as well, it added, in manoeuvres that are aimed at ‘improving readiness in confronting foreign threats and any possible invasion.’

Iran’s military kicked off its annual drill on Friday in the coastal area of the Gulf of Oman

The nation regularly holds drills like this to improve its defensive power and test weapons.

Last December, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard staged what was called a ‘major’ military drill around the Strait of Hormuz amid tensions with the US over its nuclear programme.

The five-day drill involved ground, navy and airborne forces training, according to military chiefs. 

At the time it was dubbed Exercise of the Great Prophet and took place only two days after nuclear talks between Iran and other world powers broke up without agreement. 

The nation regularly holds such drills to improve its defensive power and test weapons

Drones, fighter jets, helicopters, military transport aircraft and submarines are also being used

State TV reports said commandos and airborne infantry would participate in the wargames, dubbed ‘Zolfaghar-1401’

But Iran has also been shaken by tension within its nation this year following the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini who was detained by the country’s morality police.

Since mid-September, Iran has seen floods of anti-government protests calling for an end to more than four decades of the country’s clerical rule. 

Earlier this month, the first protestor was hanged after the regime accused him of injuring a paramilitary member with a knife.    

Iran has reportedly since scrapped its morality police units with its attorney general Mohammad Jafar Montazeri stating: ‘Morality police have nothing to do with the judiciary.’

But the tension continues with the first protestor was hanged this month after the regime accused him of injuring a paramilitary member with a knife.    

The manoeuvres are aimed at ‘improving readiness in confronting foreign threats and any possible invasion,’ the reports said

Iran’s military is to fire missiles and air defence systems as part of the drill, it was said 

The drill is taking place in the midst of anti-government protests that have shaken the nation since mid-September this year