IRGC Ballistic Missile Drill to Be Held Soon

Amir Ali Hajizadeh, commander of the Aerospace Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), announced that a "large ballistic missile drill of the IRGC" will be held in the near future. Speaking at a memorial ceremony for the victims of the Iran-Iraq war in Qaemshahr, Hajizadeh referred to what he called "two ambiguities and public questions regarding the IRGC's ballistic missiles and the conduct of drills," stating that "over the past two years, some have come to believe that the IRGC has ceased its ballistic missile activities or that drills in this area have been halted, or that these issues may have been negotiated." The commander rejected these reports, asserting that "these activities remain on the agenda as before, and significant successes have also been achieved in the past two years." Hajizadeh indicated that missile tests continue, adding that "drills that were previously scheduled have taken place, but the media coverage of these actions is beyond the purview of the IRGC and the General Staff and is under the authority of the Supreme National Security Council." He also announced the IRGC's plan to hold a large ballistic missile drill in the "near future," stating that details will be announced later. Iran and six world powers reached an agreement in Vienna on July 13 regarding Iran's nuclear program. Under this agreement, Iran agreed to limit its nuclear program in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions against the country, addressing concerns about the nature of its nuclear program. However, according to the agreement reached in Vienna, the lifting of sanctions does not include arms and missile sanctions against Iran in the short term. Under this agreement, UN arms sanctions will remain in place for the next five years, and sanctions against Iran's ballistic missile program will continue for eight years. Resolution 2231 of the UN Security Council, which unanimously endorsed the Vienna agreement on July 19, called on Iran to refrain from any activities related to ballistic missiles designed to carry nuclear weapons, including the launch of missiles made using ballistic missile technology, during the eight-year missile sanctions period. Meanwhile, several military officials of the Islamic Republic, including Mohammad Ali Jafari, the IRGC commander, had previously expressed their concerns about this resolution and the continuation of arms and missile sanctions against Tehran. Following these concerns, several hardline members of parliament also called for changes to the text of the agreement. Mohammad Ismail Kowsari, a principlist member of parliament, told Fars News Agency, "Ballistic missiles are no longer classified as nuclear weapons but rather as conventional weapons, and it is essential to amend the related clauses." In this context, 23 members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly also called for the resumption of Iran's missile tests on August 6.