TEHRAN: Iran staged military parades on Friday to mark its annual Army Day celebrations, showcasing a wide array of its latest domestically built drones, missiles, tanks, and other hardware.
The events coincided with the eve of the second round of nuclear talks between Iran and the United States, which will be held in Rome on Saturday. Domestically developed drones, including the jet-powered Karrar, Arash, and Mohajer models, were shown in the parade in Tehran, state television reported.
In addition to the capital, military parades were also staged in other major cities. The Tehran event also featured Russian-made S-300 air defence systems. It was attended by President Masoud Pezeshkian, who praised the army as the nation’s “strong fortress” and credited it with asserting the country’s regional influence.
The military display came a day before delegations from Iran and the United States were set to meet in the Italian capital for a second round of indirect nuclear talks mediated by Oman. The first round, held in Muscat last Saturday, was described by both sides as “constructive”.
In March, US President Donald Trump sent a letter to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urging renewed negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme and warning of military action if diplomacy fails. On Thursday, Trump said he is “not in a rush” to attack Iranian nuclear facilities, adding: “I think Iran wants to talk.”
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, who represents Tehran in the talks, said on Thursday “we are fully serious in these talks”, and “based on the other side’s approach, will assess how to proceed”.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff represents Washington in the talks. A New York Times report on Wednesday said Trump had blocked an Israeli plan to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, deciding instead to prioritise diplomatic outreach. On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that Israel will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, even as the Iran-US talks continue.
