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By Amir Daftari
News Reporter
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Iran's armed forces are set to begin large-scale military exercises in a further signal of Tehran's preparations for conflict as tensions escalate with Israel and the United States over its nuclear program.
The maneuvers come as United States B-52 bombers carried out their second flyover in the Middle East within 48 hours, a show of force that underscores growing regional uncertainty.
Newsweek has reached out Iran's Foreign Ministry for comment via email.
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Why It Matters
Iran's defenses are widely believed to be at their weakest in decades, largely due to Israeli actions that have damaged Tehran's regional network and weakened its air defense and missile production capabilities.
While President Donald Trump has expressed a preference for diplomacy, Washington's military presence in the region signals a readiness for further escalation.
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What To Know
Iran's armed forces will launch a large-scale military exercise dubbed "Zolfaghar 1403," spanning from southeastern Iran to the northern Indian Ocean on Saturday.
Led by the Iranian Army, the drills will showcase ground forces, air defense, and naval forces. While "Zolfaghar 1403" is an Army-led drill, Iran has also conducted recent joint exercises between the Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), focusing on defending key nuclear sites such as Natanz and Fordow.
Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, the commander of the exercise, said that any attack on Iranian interests would not go unanswered. The exercises are set to continue until mid-March.
According to U.S. intelligence findings reported in The Washington Post, Israel views Iran as vulnerable following the October airstrikes that degraded Iran's air defenses.
The United States has also stepped up military activity in the region. U.S. B-52 bombers carried out out their second flyover in the Middle East within 48 hours, according to a statement from U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) that said they had demonstrated "force projection capabilities."
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What People Are Saying
Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, commander of the exercise, said: "Any enemy that thinks it can harm our interests on land, in the air, or at sea will certainly suffer great damage."
Negar Mortazavi, Senior Fellow, Center for International Policy told Newsweek: "Tehran seems to be sending two messages: that they are ready to talk a make a deal with Trump, but also that they are strong and prepared to defend themselves against military strikes."
What Happens Next
With Iran ramping up military activities across multiple fronts, the region remains on high alert as Tehran signals its readiness to counter external threats.
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