Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards have launched military drills in the country's western regions, set to continue through Tuesday, according to Iran's official news agency IRNA. The exercises, which began on Friday, are taking place in Kermanshah province near the Iraqi border.
An armed forces official told IRNA that the drills aim to "enhance combat readiness and vigilance." This military activity comes at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and Israel, following the killing of Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran on July 31.
Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of carrying out Haniyeh's assassination, though Israel has neither claimed nor denied responsibility.
Revolutionary Guards deputy commander Ali Fadavi was cited in Iranian media stating that the supreme leader's orders regarding "harsh punishment of Israel and revenge for Haniyeh" are clear and will be implemented in the "best possible way."
However, a report in Kuwaiti media on Sunday suggested that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, considered a moderate, had convinced Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to postpone an expected attack on Israel. The report claims Pezeshkian intervened to stop an immediate retaliation following Haniyeh's death.
* Ynet contributed to this article.
