Iran has launched military exercises aimed at strengthening air defences at its Natanz nuclear plant in the event of an attack on its facilities, after the United States raised the possibility.
The exercises, known as Eqtedar 1403 (Power 1403), are being carried out jointly by the Iranian Army and the Revolutionary Guard in the air defence perimeter of the Natanz nuclear plant in central Iran, the IRNA news agency reported.
“At this stage of the exercise, the air defense units are carrying out a comprehensive defense of the nuclear complex against a large number of air threats, under difficult electronic warfare conditions,” said Brigadier General Qader Rahimzade, commander of the Army’s Khatam Al-Anbia Air Defense Base.
On the first day of the exercises, which will continue until mid-March, new domestically produced air defence systems were presented.
The Natanz nuclear complex, which houses an underground uranium enrichment facility, is protected by a concrete shield and sophisticated air defence systems, according to Iranian authorities.
These military exercises began days after the American portal Axios reported that the White House national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, has presented options to the outgoing president, Joe Biden, for a possible attack on Iran's nuclear facilities if the country comes close to developing nuclear weapons before January 20, when the Democratic president leaves office.
On that day, Donald Trump will take office as US president. During his first term in office (2016-2020), he withdrew from the nuclear agreement signed between Iran and world powers in 2015, reimposed sanctions on Tehran and adopted the so-called "maximum pressure" policy against the country.
Since then, Tehran has increased its uranium enrichment level to 60%, which is very close to the 90% required for the manufacture of atomic weapons. EFE
Iran launches maneuvers to strengthen air defense of its nuclear program
