Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) plan to stage joint drills in the near future, Deputy Chief of Staff of Iran's Armed Forces Mohammad Baqeri said, Press TV reported.

"A joint military exercise by the Army and the IRGC will be held in the second half of the current Iranian year (which started March 21, 2013)," Baqeri said on September 9.

He added that the latest weapons and war tactics which have never been examined will be tested during the drill.

Baqeri had earlier said that some air defense units would also be involved in the maneuvers alongside ground forces.

Last November, Iran's Army and the IRGC conducted a joint military exercise, codenamed Modafe'an-e Aseman-e Velayat 4 (Defenders of the Velayat Skies 4). The drill spanned an area of 950,000 square kilometers in northeast, southeast, south and central Iran.

Also, recently, Commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Air Defense Base Brigadier General Farzad Esmaili said that Iran will hold massive air defense military drills. Esmaili noted that the drills will be held by the end of October or early November, adding that all of Iran's air defense forces, including those of the national army and the IRGC, will be participating in the drills.

Iran has repeatedly stated that its military power poses no threat to other countries, reiterating that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence.

Tehran says that the maneuvers are defensive in nature and meant to convey a message of peace and friendship to regional countries.