WANA (Dec 01) – A joint anti-terrorism exercise among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, titled “Sahand-2025 Joint Anti-Terrorism Drill,” is set to be hosted by the IRGC Ground Forces in Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province.

 

Shahram Askaryan, Deputy for Public Relations of the IRGC Ground Forces, announced the news, stating that the “Sahand 2025” exercise—designed based on directives from the General Staff of the Armed Forces, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the SCO’s Anti-Terrorism Executive Committee—holds significant strategic importance.

 

Highlighting Iran’s long-standing record in combating terrorism, Askaryan noted that the Islamic Republic has consistently been at the forefront of the fight against terrorist groups, adding that more than 17,000 Iranian citizens, including women and children, have been killed in terrorist attacks over the years.

 

The drill is scheduled to begin on Monday, December 1, 2025, and will run for five days in the operational zone of the Imam Zaman Mechanized Brigade in Shabestar County. Additional details and operational plans will be announced by Brigadier General Vali Madani, Deputy for Operations of the IRGC Ground Forces and commander of the exercise.