2024-04-17 16:48:33
Iran displayed a number of various weapons in an annual military parade it held on the occasion of Army Day, amid escalating tension with Israel, which is likely to direct an imminent strike on Iranian territory after a missile attack launched by Tehran two days ago on areas within the Hebrew state.
The military parade ceremony began on Wednesday morning, in the presence of President Ibrahim Raisi and a group of senior commanders of the armed forces.
The official news agency (IRNA) published photos and video clips of the display, which included a number of weapons for the various branches of the army.
Long vehicles carrying long-range and medium-range ballistic missiles were seen. The display also included a number of drones and air defense systems, in addition to a display of infantry forces.
Iran said on Wednesday that its army was ready to repel any attack from Israel, and its air force said it was on alert.
The Naval Forces Commander also said that fleets accompany Iranian commercial ships to the Red Sea.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during his speech before the military parade
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during his speech before the military parade
Iran launched its first ever direct attack on Israel over the weekend in response to a suspected Israeli raid on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Damascus on April 1.
Israel has vowed to respond, and the Israeli war cabinet will meet on Wednesday to discuss options.
Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi was quoted by official media as saying on Wednesday during a military parade held on the occasion of Army Day, “Any attack by the Zionist regime on our lands will face a harsh response.”
Part of the Iranian military parade
Part of the Iranian military parade
Iranian preparations
Iran is preparing for an imminent Israeli attack, whether inside its territory or against its agents in the region, amid pressure from the United States and European countries on Tel Aviv to respond in a way that does not raise the level of tension in the region after the Iranian attack on Israel over the weekend.
The American Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday that, in anticipation of the Israeli response, Iran has begun preparing its air force, and its naval forces will also begin escorting Iranian commercial ships in the Red Sea.
Part of the Iranian military parade
Part of the Iranian military parade
The newspaper quoted Syrian and Iranian officials and advisors as saying that Tehran has also begun evacuating its employees from sites in Syria where the Iranian Revolutionary Guard is largely present.
Syrian security officials explained that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and Iran-backed Hezbollah have reduced the presence of their senior officers in Syria while middle-ranking officers are moving from their original positions in the country.
The source added that Iran directed Hezbollah to take precautionary measures in Syria, where Israel could target Iranian Revolutionary Guard bases, warehouses, and Hezbollah sites there.
Syrian security officials said that Hezbollah has increased the number of its fighters on the Syrian border with Israel in recent days, with the aim of gathering intelligence information about possible Israeli attacks on its fighters and facilities.
On the other hand, according to regional officials, Israel is likely to warn its allies before carrying out its strike, and could limit its attacks to Iranian-linked facilities in Syria.
Part of the Iranian military parade
Part of the Iranian military parade
An unprecedented Iranian attack
On Saturday night, Iran launched the first direct military operation of its kind against Israel, using more than 300 drones and missiles, in response to the strike that was attributed to Israel and targeted the Iranian consulate in Damascus, and led to the killing of leaders of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard.
While Israeli defenses responded to 99 percent of the Iranian marches and missiles, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, considered that the attack fully achieved its goals.
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