Iran and Armenia recently concluded two days of coordinated military exercises designed to simulate counter-terrorism operations at border checkpoints. The drills took place on both Iranian and Armenian soil along their 44-kilometre shared border and involved a range of military equipment, including both light and heavy weaponry, alongside sniper training scenarios.
Details of the military drills
As part of the exercise, Iran deployed elite forces from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), who are stationed in Tabriz. The operation was overseen by General Valiollah Madani, the Deputy Commander of the IRGC Ground Forces. Iranian state media reported that the primary goal of these exercises was to enhance border security in alignment with the mutual interests of both nations.
Context and regional implications
Armenia’s Ministry of Defence characterized the exercises as a response to “attacks by simulated terrorist groups” targeting border crossings; however, they did not specify the number of troops involved. These joint military drills emerge against a backdrop of heightened tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions and the enduring conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Tehran is currently entangled in various regional conflicts, providing support to groups such as Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen. Additionally, it faces accusations of supplying Shahed drones to Russia during its extended military campaign in Ukraine.
Despite Armenia’s recent pivot towards strengthening ties with Western powers, it continues to foster a cooperative relationship with Iran. Notably, the borders between Armenia and its neighbors Azerbaijan and Turkey have been closed for over thirty years, underscoring the area’s complex geopolitical landscape. Last month, both Armenia and Azerbaijan reported advancements toward a peace treaty aimed at resolving their nearly four-decade-long conflict over the contested region of Karabakh.