February 23, 2013 - 12:30 AMT
Iran launches wargames to exercise defense tactics

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force started massive wargames, codenamed Payambar-e Azam 8 (The Great Prophet 8), which include exercising different defense tactics, in Southern Iran, Fars news agency reported.

Speaking to reporters, a spokesman for the wargames, General Sarkheili said at the first stage the IRGC units started "stable regional defense" after they were joined by Basij (volunteer) units.

"In this phase, units entered the battlefield backed by aerial and artillery firepower and intelligence support by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in a bid to fulfill the (specified) objectives and bring the targets under direct fire," Sarkheili stated.