Description: The Iranian military has announced the commencment of a large – scale military exercise called Zolfaghar 1403 aimed at demonstrating Iran’s military readiness and capacities. The exercise would undertake the Makran coast alongside Iran’s border with Pakistan and the northern coast of the Indian Ocean. The large – scale military drill comes as a response towards recent threats from both Israel and the US which have significantly ramped up their joint military posturing. Intelligence reports indicated that Iran’s aerial defenses have been substantially depleted, and its nuclear sites have been left vulnerable and susceptible to aerial attacks.
Impact: Iran is currently aiming at bolstering its defensive capabilities in light of recent loses inflicted by US and Israel. The country is currently largely dependent on Russian and Chinese support in the Middle East as Israel and the US threaten to endanger its ever-controversial nuclear facilities. Iran is currently in the remobilizing stage of its military and geopolitical interest while the US and Israel are on the offensive in the region and would additionally aim at undermining Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Outside of activities falling under the purview of showing force and regional repositioning, direct military contact between Iran, Israel and the US is currently highly unlikely.