Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched a simulation of destroying Israel’s Palmahim Air Base on Monday, Iranian state media Tasnim reported.
The IRGC celebrated “Guards Day,” the anniversary of the Iranian Revolution 45 years ago, by targeting ballistic missiles at a simulated version of an Israel Air Force base.
The simulation was part of a celebration of Guard’s Day, including launching missiles from submarines and boats in a naval showcase. The replica model of the airbase was built in the Iranian desert, MEMRI reported.
New missiles, the Emad and Qadr, were announced on the occasion of the national holiday. The new missiles allegedly have increased accuracy and range, according to Iranian state media
Why did the IRGC target the Palmahim Air Base?
Iranian media claim the Palmahim Air Base was selected as it “is the main location of the F-35 fighter jets of the Zionist regime.” Palmahim is a critical base in Israel’s war on Hamas in Gaza.
Last month, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced from the Palmahim base that Israel would not hesitate to attack Iran, in a clear message to the nation responsible for funding all proxies launching attacks on Israel, and sending agents to assassinate Israelis and Jews worldwide.
The IRGC reportedly used measurements of the area of the air base to build their targets and size the new missiles.
MEMRI cited local reports that “this is an illustration of what the IRGC can do […] if Iran’s territory is attacked.”
State media also reported that the Emad liquid fuel missiles have a range of some 1,700 km. IRGC commander-in-chief Hossein Salami boasted alleged success in launching long-range ballistic missiles from a warship for the first time.
“This new achievement increases the range of our naval influence and power to any desired location, because our ocean-traversing warships can be at any point in the oceans,” he said. “There will be no safe place for any power that wants to create insecurity for us.”