Iran commenced a two-day missile drill on Wednesday in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, as the country continues to prepare for what many analysts believe could be a second large-scale confrontation with Israel.
The exercises involve surface and subsurface vessels, aerial units, coastal and sea-based missile platforms, and electronic warfare divisions. Rear Admiral Abbas Hassani stated that the drills would test a wide range of precision-strike cruise missiles capable of engaging surface targets at short, medium, and long ranges. The maneuvers aim to boost combat readiness, enhance command-and-control systems, and strengthen Iran’s deterrence capabilities.
The exercises come two months after Iran’s 12-day war with Israel, during which Tehran launched over 550 missiles and more than 1,100 drones in retaliation for the surprise Israeli attacks of June 13. Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Massoud Pezeshkian, have warned in recent weeks that they believe Israel is likely to initiate further strikes in the coming months.
Earlier this week, Yahya Rahim Safavi, a senior military advisor to Khamenei, reiterated that Iran remains in a state of heightened alert, declaring: “We are not in a ceasefire; we are in a stage of war. No protocol, regulation, or agreement has been written between us and the U.S. or Israel.”
The drills are also strategically significant, being conducted near the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most vital maritime chokepoints, through which roughly a third of daily global oil shipments pass. In the days leading up to the U.S. bombing of three Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22, Tehran signaled potential restrictions on shipping in the area, including GPS jamming, increased naval deployment, and reports of mine-laying.
Analysts believe the threat of closing the strait played a key role in prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to offer a temporary truce to Tehran on June 24.