### Iran Conducts Missile Drills Amid Rising Regional Tensions - On December 22, 2025, Iran conducted missile drills across multiple cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, and Mashhad, as reported by state media. This exercise marks the second missile drill within a month, highlighting escalating military activities in the region. The drills were characterized as a demonstration of Iran's missile capabilities, with state media releasing videos of the launches [https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/iran-holds-missile-drills-in-various-cities-state-media-say][https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2025/12/22/in-a-signal-to-enemies-iran-holds-missile-drills-across-multiple-cities]. ### Structure of the Response 1. **Overview of the Missile Drills** - Description of the drills and their locations. - Context of the drills being the second in a month. 2. **International Reactions and Concerns** - Mention of U.S. concerns regarding Iran's missile program. - Reference to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's briefing to President Trump about potential threats posed by Iran's missile capabilities. 3. **Implications for Regional Security** - Discussion on how these drills may escalate tensions in the Middle East. - Overview of conflicting reports regarding the nature and scale of the missile activities. 4. **Iran's Position on Its Missile Program** - Iran's defense of its missile program as a necessary component of national security. - Statements from Iranian officials regarding the purpose of the drills. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Locations of Drills**: The drills took place in major cities such as Tehran, Isfahan, and Mashhad, showcasing Iran's military reach [https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/iran-holds-missile-drills-5673036]. - **Frequency of Exercises**: This is the second missile drill reported in December 2025, indicating a pattern of increased military readiness [https://news.az/news/iran-holds-missile-drills-defends-weapons-program]. - **International Concerns**: Reports indicate that U.S. officials are alarmed by the expansion of Iran's missile capabilities, which they believe could necessitate a response [https://oafnation.com/blogs/news/iran-holds-missile-drills-across-country-state-media-says]. ### Summary of Findings 1. **Iran's missile drills on December 22, 2025, reflect a significant military exercise aimed at demonstrating its capabilities amidst rising regional tensions**. The drills were conducted in key cities and were the second such exercise within a month, indicating a strategic emphasis on military readiness. 2. **International reactions highlight concerns over Iran's expanding missile program**, with U.S. officials and Israeli leaders expressing alarm over potential threats to regional stability. This has led to discussions about possible preemptive actions against Iran's military advancements. 3. **Iran maintains that its missile program is essential for national defense**, asserting that these drills are a legitimate exercise of its sovereignty and military capabilities. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing monitoring of Iran's military activities by international observers [https://yournews.com/2025/12/22/5525669/iran-conducts-missile-exercises-across-multiple-cities-as-regional-tensions][https://freedombunker.com/2025/12/22/iran-holds-surprise-missile-drills-near-cities-amid-fears-of-new-israel-war].