IRGC's Basij Force Carries Out Drill With 1,000+ Light And Semi-Heavy Combat Vessels

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On November 26^th, Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy’s volunteer forces, known as Basij, carried out a massive drill along the Persian Gulf coastline and Strait of Hormuz.

Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the IRGC Navy was in attendance.

According to Tangsiri, the exercise is a “show of the power that is at the disposal of the Islamic Republic’s popular establishment.”

It seeks to send across a message off “peace, friendship, fraternity, and establishment of sustainable security” in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman littoral area,” he added.

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The event saw sailors, enlisted with the popular volunteer Basij force, taking to the waters aboard more than 1,000 light and semi-heavy-lift vessels.

The drills were staged to mark the final day of the National Basij Week to display the naval power that is possessed by the popular force.

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The Basij force was formed after the victory of Iran’s Islamic Revolution in 1979 on the order of the late founder of the Islamic Republic, Imam Khomeini. The force owes its strength to integrity and solidarity among the grassroots in the country, and has been playing a major role in backing responsible authorities in defending the Revolution’s ideals.

No mentions have been made regarding the US or Israel in the reports.

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On November 27^th, a statement issued to mark Navy Day “declared its full readiness to establish stability, security and hoist Iran’s flag in the distant oceans and international waters, as well as spare no effort to sacrifice its life in this glorious path.”

Additional it “further noted that the day each year is a reminder of the bravery and sacrifices of the men who with empty hands and big hearts and firm faith struck at the heart of the Ba’athist regime’s navy, and although they immortalized themselves forever as the guardians of the Persian Gulf, they cut off Saddam’s regime’s hands from the sea forever.

“Today, if this force has the title of a strategic force on its forehead, it is the fruit of the blood of the young people and their silent struggles, who defend all the valuable interests and assets of this land thousands of kilometers away from the country’s water borders,” the statement concluded.

This show of force is coming amid rumors that outgoing US President Donald Trump could potentially order a sort of “farewell strike” on Iran.

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And Israel Defense Forces (IDF) appear to be preparing for such a scenario.

“The Israel Defense Forces have in recent weeks been instructed to prepare for the possibility that the U.S. will conduct a military strike against Iran before President Trump leaves office.”

SCOOP: Israeli military prepares for possibility Trump will strike Iran https://t.co/uwtCDmRKxW

— Axios (@axios) November 25, 2020

Middle East expert Elijah Magnier reported the following regarding the situation:

“In an unprecedentedly high level of military readiness, the “Axis of the Resistance” led by Iran has declared a maximum alert on all fronts, as a preparation for a possible battle or war breaking out in the Middle East prior to the arrival in office of President-elect Joe Biden.

Sources within the “Axis of the Resistance” say that “the US may not be planning for a war against Iran with President Donald Trump leaving office soon. However, it is not excluded that the “bully of the neighborhood”, Prime Minister Benyamin Netanyahu, would like to carry out a swift hit on the Iranian nuclear facilities in order to sabotage the nuclear deal ready for when Biden takes over. In the case of an Israeli bombing followed by an Iranian retaliation, the Trump administration can then intervene with the pretext of “defending” Israel.”

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The New York Times reported that Trump’s advisers talked him out of ordering a strike, which they argued would certainly spiral into a larger war.

America's "stability promotion" works in mysterious ways…

(The US – and the region – would be better off it the US simply didn't…)

In threat to Iran, US sends heavy bombers to Middle East via Israel https://t.co/YrxXDwBdL8 via @timesofisrael

— Trita Parsi (@tparsi) November 26, 2020

The significant showing by Iran is more than likely related to the recent rumors, with the Middle East being on high alert to see what possibly could the Trump administration undertake in its last days in office.

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