On December 22 (local time), Reuters and other outlets reported, citing local media, that Iran conducted missile launch drills in several cities across the country.
Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency stated that missiles were launched from several cities, including the capital Tehran, Khorramabad, Mahabad, Isfahan, and Mashhad. The state-affiliated outlet Nournews released footage of missile launches without specifying the locations.
Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel (left), and Donald Trump, President of the United States. Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
However, Iran’s state broadcaster, citing an anonymous source, explained that the released footage was related to high-altitude aircraft, not missile tests.
Reuters noted that this is the second time this month that Iranian state media have reported on missile launch drills. Earlier this month, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy fired ballistic and cruise missiles in the Gulf region, describing the exercise as a response to external threats.
The U.S. online media outlet Axios, citing sources, reported that Israeli officials warned the U.S. government over the past weekend that the missile drills by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps could be preliminary preparations for an attack on Israel.
The West is concerned that Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal not only threatens stability in the Middle East, but could also serve as a delivery system for nuclear weapons if Iran develops them. However, Iran denies any intention to develop nuclear weapons.
On this day in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, stating that they are aware Iran recently conducted “drills.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu did not elaborate on the drills but added that he would discuss Iran’s nuclear activities with U.S. President Donald Trump.
At the event, he announced that Israel would strengthen security cooperation with Greece and Cyprus.
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