IRGC’s New Strategy in Minsk; Enhancing Synergy to Counter Extremism
According to the official website of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), special units of the IRGC Ground Force, representing the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, participated in the international “Eurasia-Anti-Terror 2026” exercise hosted by the Belarusian capital, Minsk. This participation is part of the nation’s broader strategy to strengthen defense diplomacy and unify regional capabilities to curb violent extremist factions.
Operational Priorities in the “Eurasia-Anti-Terror 2026” Exercise
Brigadier General Vali Madani, Deputy of Operations for the IRGC Ground Force, while detailing the dimensions and priorities of the exercise, stated: “Our primary focus in this joint exercise with member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is security synergy among members to confront extremist actions and seriously contain the violent factions that threaten the region’s sustainable security.”
Pointing to the extensive scope of these drills, he added: “This three-day exercise, held in Minsk, involves the participation of 14 member states and subsidiary committees of the SCO, along with over 100 high-ranking military and security officials, providing a platform for the exchange of expertise in confronting emerging security threats.”
Sustaining Defense Diplomacy: From “Sahand 2025” to “Minsk 2026”
The presence of Iranian special forces in the Minsk exercise is a step in the continuity of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s strategic approach to playing a role in regional security arrangements. Iran previously demonstrated its practical commitment to security-based cooperation within the SCO framework by successfully hosting the “Sahand 2025” anti-terrorism exercise.
The Deputy of Operations for the IRGC Ground Force identified the enhancement of security and anti-terrorism cooperation as the country’s main strategy in this exercise, emphasizing the importance of continuing such interactions to stabilize collective security against transnational threats.