Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has demonstrated its growing naval and missile capabilities during the ongoing Sahand-2025 exercise, with new footage showing the launch of Qadir cruise missiles and the impact of a 303 ballistic missile on mock naval targets in the Gulf of Oman. The drill, conducted along Iran’s southern coast, represents the second phase of a large-scale inland-to-sea strike exercise.

State media confirmed that the Qadir cruise missiles lifted off from coastal launch sites, while the 303 ballistic missile successfully struck simulated warships, showcasing Iran’s ability to execute precise long-range attacks on maritime targets. The 303 missile, with an estimated range of 700 kilometers, underscores Tehran’s potential to engage regional naval assets far from its shores.

Sahand-2025 also involves multinational counterterrorism coordination, including allied forces such as Russia and China, emphasizing Iran’s focus on asymmetric warfare tactics. Analysts note that these exercises serve both strategic and deterrence purposes, signaling Tehran’s readiness to project power across the Gulf and beyond while testing coordination between missile systems and naval operations.

The drill highlights Iran’s ongoing investment in missile technology and coastal defense, reinforcing its ability to threaten regional shipping lanes and respond rapidly to potential maritime threats. Observers caution that continued development and demonstrations of this capability may shift the regional balance of naval power and influence security calculations for neighboring states and global powers alike.