Iran's Revolutionary Guards Hold Drills On Southern Coast As US Tensions Rise

Last Updated:February 24, 2026, 20:54 IST

The drills are mainly focused on Iran’s southern coastline, though similar exercises are also taking place in other parts of the country.

The ground forces of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards held military drills on the country’s southern coast, state TV reported on Tuesday, as the United States weighs possible air strikes against the Islamic Republic.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, the ideological arm of the military, are carrying out exercises along the southern shores of the Gulf under what state television described as the “Combined 1404 (2026) exercise of the IRGC Ground Forces". The title refers to the current year in both the Iranian and Gregorian calendars.

According to state media, the drills are mainly focused on Iran’s southern coastline, though similar exercises are also taking place in other parts of the country.

The war games involve drones, naval vessels, amphibious vehicles, ground-to-sea missiles, rockets and artillery.

Mohammad Karami, commander of the IRGC ground forces, said “very good measures have been designed" across various sectors, including missiles, artillery, drones, special forces and armoured vehicles.

He added that the drills were being conducted “based on the threats that exist", without giving further details.

The exercises come at a time of rising tensions between Tehran and Washington. The United States is considering possible military action if talks over Iran’s nuclear programme fail.

Two rounds of Oman-mediated negotiations have already taken place, with further talks expected later this week.

Meanwhile, the USS Gerald R. Ford, the world’s largest aircraft carrier, has arrived at the US naval base of Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete. It is expected to join a wider American military build-up in the Middle East.

The US already has more than a dozen warships in the region, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, nine destroyers and three littoral combat ships. It is unusual for two US aircraft carriers to be deployed in the region at the same time.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned Iran of possible military strikes if it does not agree to a new nuclear deal. Washington is demanding that Iran halt uranium enrichment and curb its ballistic missile programme and regional activities — demands Tehran has rejected.

Western countries accuse Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran denies, insisting its nuclear activities are for civilian purposes.

Last week, Iranian naval forces also conducted drills near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, underlining the tense atmosphere in the Gulf region.

(With inputs from agencies)

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