Iran Holds Missile Drill as War Tensions Rise

NEWSWEEK -Aug21st2025

Iran is set to begin a two-day missile drill on Thursday in the northern Indian Ocean and Sea of Oman, signaling military strength after June’s 12-day war with Israel and the United States.

The exercise will include missile launches and drone and electronic warfare operations, underlining Tehran’s determination to demonstrate readiness for any new phase of confrontation.

Newsweek has reached out to the State Department as well as the foreign ministries of Iran and Israel for comment.

Why It Matters

The drill comes at a volatile moment. Israel and Iran only recently paused a direct conflict that caused significant casualties and destruction on both sides. The U.S., which intervened with its own airstrikes, has since kept up pressure on Iran while pledging support for Israel.

Although open fighting has stopped, the fragile ceasefire has done little to ease hostility. Military drills such as the one set to start on Thursday serve as both a warning to rivals and a signal that Iran is prepared for renewed escalation.

What To Know

According to state media, Iran’s navy will stage the exercise with surface and subsurface vessels, aerial units, coastal and sea-based missile platforms, and electronic warfare divisions. Rear Admiral Abbas Hassani, the official spokesperson for the Iranian Navy, said the maneuvers would test “a wide range of precision-strike cruise missiles” capable of hitting surface targets at short, medium and long range. He added that the drill is designed to sharpen combat readiness, improve command systems and strengthen deterrence.

Aftermath of War

The conflict that started on June 13 saw Iran launch missile and drone attacks on sites in Israel, while Israel conducted airstrikes on Iranian military installations and infrastructure.

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