Escalating Tensions: Iran Announces Missile Launches and Drills with Russia, While Washington Reinforces Its Forces

SadaNews - The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration stated that Iran has issued a new air navigation notice indicating that it plans to carry out missile launches in southern areas of the country on Thursday, between 03:00 and 13:30 GMT.

This notice follows naval maneuvers conducted by Iran this week in the Strait of Hormuz, as it plans to conduct a joint naval exercise with Russia on Thursday.

The alert was issued amid rising tensions with the United States, which has deployed warships near Iranian shores. U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance stated that Washington is considering whether to continue diplomatic engagement with Tehran or resort to other options.

The air navigation alert system is used to inform pilots, flight crews, and airspace users of significant safety alerts related to military operations or potential risks.

In this context, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that any new U.S. strike on Iran would have serious repercussions, calling for restraint and action toward a resolution that allows Tehran to continue its peaceful nuclear program.

Lavrov stated on the Russian Foreign Ministry's website that previous strikes targeting nuclear sites under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency posed real risks of a nuclear incident, adding: "The repercussions will not be good."

In the same context, a senior U.S. official indicated that Iran is expected to present a written proposal on how to resolve the dispute with the United States following indirect talks held in Geneva, noting that U.S. national security advisors met at the White House and were informed that the deployment of U.S. forces in the region should be completed by mid-March.