Iran showcases 12,000 Man Rapid Deployment Force...

via Radio Farda.

Iran staged war games on Friday involving newly developed rapid redeployment units focused on fighting enemy aggressors and armed militants, state media reported, amid increased tensions with the United States and following a militant attack.

Around 12,000 elite troops, armored vehicles, fighter jets and drones were taking part in the two-day exercises, staged in the central province of Isfahan, state television said.

Deployed by transport planes and 60 helicopters, commandos hunted mock armed militants, while an armored battalion blocked "enemy" forces trying to retreat, state media said.

"In these war-games we will showcase two important developments: a special-forces rapid deployment battalion and a highly mobile offensive armored battalion," General Kioumars Heydari, head of the regular army's ground forces, told state television.

Heydari said the war games would delight Iran's friends and show any aggressors that they would face a "rapid and crushing blow" by the Iranian army, the state news agency IRNA reported.

Story here. 

Interesting isn't it.  Why would the Iranians time such an event now?  Could it have anything to do with the recent Israeli airstrikes and their Intel Minister stating that they're in "open hostilities" with Iran?

I would bet it does.

Many won't agree but the Iranians are usually a bit more subtle.  Even the wording used is provocative in a way that I haven't heard from the Iranians.   The Iranian General talked about a "highly mobile offensive armored battalion"???  They usually talk only in defensive terms.

For the General to talk about an offensive armored force is MOST DEFINITELY a shot across the bow of Israel.

I don't know the capabilities or make up of this unit but I'll be looking for hints in the future.