Iran launches war games with 200 attack helicopters & missiles as Israel tensions rage & US warships gather in Med
IRAN has staged massive war games with 200 helicopters and missile launchers as tensions rage over Israel.
Tanks, aircraft and troops were deployed by the Islamic Republic for the exercise dubbed "Authority 1402".
It comes as unprecedented tensions rage in the Middle East - with fears Iran could join the war raging between Israel and Hamas.
Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Army Abdolrahim Mousavi said "we are always ready to deal with threats", reported state media.
Israel launched a massive raid into Gaza last night, sending troops and tanks streaming across the border after a massive aerial blitz.
Iran is feared to potentially intervene - either directly or via its proxy terror groups such as Hezbollah.
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Tehran's military launched the drills - including using upgraded versions of their domestically-made missiles, Dawn and Diamond.
They also tested new bombs as well as attack helicopters.
The choppers launched missiles in the dark and destroyed the pretend enemy using night vision systems.
Commander Mousavi explained the exercises were intended to determine the army's capabilities and promote the country's "defence and combat authority".
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It comes as a monster fleet of warships - including the world's largest aircraft carrier, elite guided-missile cruisers, destroyers, and frigates - mass in the Mediterranean.
The Pentagon deployed two aircraft carriers along with their supporting warships to the eastern Mediterranean after Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel.
The first aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R Ford, arrived in the eastern Med with nearly 5,000 sailors aboard last week.
It would appear the US' carrier strike group USS Dwight D Eisenhower has also now entered the Mediterranean, according to various ship trackers.
The ships were dispatched to ensure the current conflict does not expand - but the immense size of the fleet brings a significant amount of power to a region already bolstered by an unknown number of US submarines, military ships, planes, and troops.
Meanwhile, fears continue to mount that Iran-backed militias are preparing to unite and invade Israel after a sinister message appeared on the Lebanese-Israeli border.
A chilling mural of terrorist groups including Hamas and Lebanese militant group Hezbollah was this week painted on the Lebanese side of the wall.
Israel considers Hezbollah to be an even bigger threat than Hamas due to it being heavily armed with weapons supplied by Iran.
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The terrorist group has already vowed to join the war in support of Hamas "when the time comes".
A former government adviser warned Lebanon will be bombed "back to the Stone Age" if Hezbollah unleashes missiles and drones into Israel.
