Counter-Terrorism Drill Conducted in Response to ISIS Threats

Following reports of special forces in the streets of Tehran for an 'anti-terrorism' drill, the commander of the Army's Ground Forces announced that a 'counter-terrorism drill' would be held in the coming days around Tehran, 'in line with the threats' posed by the Islamic State (ISIS). According to Fars News, Ahmadreza Pourdastan stated on Wednesday, December 9, that 'the anti-terrorism drill of the Army will take place in the coming days around Tehran, which will also utilize helicopter capabilities.' The commander noted the deployment of these forces at the country's borders, adding, 'If any threat occurs in the region that concerns us, we will crush it in its infancy.' He did not provide further details about the drill. On November 16, Pourdastan had also stated, 'ISIS has threatened that the next targets after France and Russia are Iran, and in this regard, the Iraqi Foreign Minister also issued a necessary warning, but the Islamic Republic of Iran's army declares that it is not afraid of these threats.' A day before him, Mahmoud Alavi, Iran's Minister of Intelligence, mentioned that the recent attacks in Paris and the explosions in Beirut are a 'serious warning' for Iran that must be 'taken seriously by experts.' In recent months, Iranian security officials have reported several arrests of groups that allegedly intended 'terrorist actions' and 'placing explosives' in eastern provinces of Iran. Meanwhile, according to Iranian media reports, in recent weeks, police officers have been 'extensively' present at Tehran's metro stations and other centers, inspecting 'suspicious' individuals. Hossein Sajedi-Nia, the commander of Greater Tehran's police, stated on Saturday, December 28, that the increase in police presence and special forces in Tehran's streets was due to 'anti-terrorism' drills and training to counter 'potential threats.' Additionally, following reports about the 'evacuation' of Shahid Haqqani metro station in Tehran on Tuesday evening, December 1, due to 'bombing rumors,' social media circulated rumors attributing this 'bombing' to the 'Islamic State' (ISIS). In another part of his remarks, the Army's Ground Forces commander stated that Iran's military presence in Syria is 'advisory' and 'this presence can be both ground and aerial.' The Islamic Republic of Iran has supported Russia's military operations in Syria, and last month a video was released showing a Russian fighter jet being escorted by an Iranian fighter jet. Hossein Chitforoush, an advisor to the commander of the Iranian Air Force, reacted to this video by stating that escorting a Russian Tupolev by Iranian fighter jets is possible. On Wednesday, Pourdastan also referred to the contract for purchasing S-300 anti-aircraft systems from Russia, stating that the purchase of T-90 tanks from this country is also 'on the agenda.' He added, 'The Russians will have visits to Iran in the future, and our specialists will also go to Russia, and contracts will definitely be concluded.' Russia and Iran signed a contract to purchase five S-300 systems in 2007, but in the fall of 2010, following the imposition of international sanctions against Iran, then-President Dmitry Medvedev suspended the sale of these systems. However, following the nuclear agreement between the Islamic Republic and the 5+1 group in Vienna, which is expected to lift sanctions against Tehran, President Vladimir Putin also lifted the ban on selling the S-300 systems to Iran last summer. On Friday, December 3, TASS reported, citing Vladimir Kozhin, an assistant to the Russian President for military and technical affairs, that the existing contract between Iran and Russia for the delivery of these systems is 'being implemented.'