Iran and its allied forces from Lebanon, Iraq, and Yemen organized a large-scale naval demonstration on Thursday across the Persian Gulf, Caspian Sea, and Makran coast.
The coordinated event was intended as a show of support for Palestinians in Gaza ahead of International Quds Day.
Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, commander of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, announced that 3,000 vessels participated in the operation. He described the display as a symbol of strength and commitment to resisting Israel, emphasizing that their forces were prepared to engage on land and at sea.
The naval exercise featured various military assets, including the Shahid Bagheri drone carrier, the Raees Ali Delvari warship, and Tareq-class missile boats. The event also included symbolic acts such as the burning of Israeli flags and the raising of Palestinian flags.
IRGC Second Admiral Mehdi Hashemi stated that the exercise was coordinated with Iran’s partners in Iraq, Yemen, and Lebanon. The demonstration also served as a tribute to resistance fighters who had lost their lives. Hashemi declared that their struggle would continue until, in their words, the “Zionist regime” was eradicated.
Tangsiri linked the event to the broader resistance movement, asserting that Quds Day represents standing against oppression. He praised figures such as General Qasem Soleimani and Hezbollah’s Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, stating that resistance now extends beyond land and air to maritime operations.
According to Quds News Agency, the event was designed to showcase the maritime strength of Iran and its allies while delivering a message to Israel. Tangsiri concluded by reaffirming their commitment to their cause, declaring that their fallen fighters would be avenged.