Iran army to hold drill at Azerbaijan border

Iran will today conduct a wideranging military exercise near its northwestern border amid long-simmering tensions with Azerbaijan.

The commander of the Iranian army’s ground forces, Gen. Kioumars Heidari, said the drill would test weapons, assess the combat readiness of troops and demonstrate the country’s military capabilities. It would involve drones, attack helicopters, tanks and artillery.

The state-run IRNA new agency’s report did not specify the exact area the exercise would cover. But the drill is bound to put Iranian troops and weapons close to the tense border with Azerbaijan.