The Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps held an unusual exercise near the Iranian capital, Tehran, on Tuesday, simulating an American ground invasion. Forces practiced striking US helicopters and firing on advancing troops.
Images released by the Revolutionary Guards showed fighters firing RPG rockets, operating light mortars, and training in sniper fire and riding motorcycles and pickup trucks across open terrain. A video published alongside the images showed an exploding drone being used to strike a banner depicting an American helicopter.
Brig. Gen. Hassan Hazanzadeh, commander of the Greater Tehran Force named after Muhammad Rasulallah and commander of the exercise, declared that all pre-planned scenarios – as well as individual and team tactics and techniques for attacking the enemy in any terrain – had been drilled and assessed.
He added that improving combat capability to counter any move by the "American-Zionist enemy" was among the exercise's goals and scenarios, saying the drill had been completed and all objectives achieved. The five-day exercise was conducted around the clock in operational areas surrounding Tehran.
Despite the confidence projected by the commander, the only significant experience the IRGC has had with ground combat against the US military on Iranian soil ended in a stinging humiliation. Forces from the organization attempted to capture an American pilot who had come down in the south of the country but failed to reach him, or to intercept the large rescue force dispatched to extract him, which operated by helicopter and on foot deep inside Iranian territory.
