Iran Commences Annual Air Force Drill Amid Heightened Tensions

On Sunday, Iran initiated its annual air force drill, named Fadaeian Velyat-11, with 11 Iranian air force bases participating.

The drill comes as the US announced deployment of additional fighter planes to the region to deter any attempts by the Islamic Republic to seize commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf area.

More than 90 fighter planes, bombers, and drones are set to take part in the drill, named Devotees of the Supreme Leader-11), according to local media.

Air Force Chief Hamid Vahedi claimed the drill’s message is “friendship, peace, and regional security”. He said: "Sustainable security, improving and fostering regional ties, peaceful coexistence, and defending air borders are on the agenda."

Iran, facing long-running sanctions and arms embargoes, relies primarily on missiles and drones, rather than having a viable modern air force.

In response to previous Iranian attempts to seize commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman, the US is reinforcing its presence in the area. The Pentagon announced earlier that the USS Thomas Hudner, a destroyer, along with a number of F-35 fighter jets, will be deployed to enhance security in the region.

Tensions have escalated due to recent incidents involving Iranian actions towards commercial vessels. Last month, Iran attempted to seize two oil tankers, the Marshall Islands-flagged TRF Moss, and the Bahamian-flagged Richmond Voyager, with one of the ships coming under fire.

The US Navy has accused Iran of seizing at least five commercial vessels over the past two years and harassing several others.

Iran denies these allegations, claiming that the seizures occurred after the vessels collided with local ships and polluted the waterway.