TEHRAN -- The Iranian Armed Forces launched the first stage of the “Blow of Zolfaqar” war games on Saturday in the border regions of Sistan-Baluchestan Province with the exercise codename “Ya Rasulallah”.

Army commandos, parachutists, mobile shoulder-firing units, electronic warfare teams, special forces, rapid reaction forces, mobile shoulder-firing units, and Chinook helicopter and drone wings are demonstrating their readiness during the exercise, which is one of the largest such military maneuvers conducted by Iran in recent years.

The Iranian Armed Forces plan to demonstrate their airborne power against a mock enemy in a very different way in these war games.

Armed Forces Commander Major General Ataollah Salehi told reporters on Saturday that the Iranian military has successfully completed the first stage of the exercise.

He also said that the Iranian Army is able to conduct major military operations anywhere in the country in a short period of time, such that any potential enemy would be blindsided.

The objectives and targets of foreign enemies are quite clear to us, and the enemy will be made regretful by the strong will and faith of Iranian soldiers, Salehi added.

Zolfaqar, the sword of Imam Ali (AS), is a symbol of power and courage for Shia Muslims.