NEZAJA ‘Moharram’ rapid reaction force exercise- Phase I

Iran media imagery of NEZAJA rapid reaction force participating in Moharram maneuvers, taking place 18OCT15 at Kermanshah and Ilam provinces:

NEZAJA BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles with deployed mechanized infantry rapid reaction force

NEZAJA mechanized infantry equipped with G3-A4 battle rifles, before BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles (command variant, far right).

On the move, NEZAJA BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle command variant

Turret and main armament detail of NEZAJA BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle command variant

NEZAJA mechanized infantry inside and atop BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles

NEZAJA mechanized infantry disembarking from BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle

NEZAJA mechnized infantry corporals equipped with Iran license-built G3-A4 battle rifles

NEZAJA Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Kiomars Heydari (R2), among BG2 with 65th Airborne Brigade patch (R1), IRIAF colonel (L3) and officers from NEZAJA rapid reaction force.

NEZAJA Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Kiomars Heydari (R2) among officers participating in Moharam rapid reaction force exercise, phase I.

IRIAA Brigadier General 2C Kioumars Ahadi (center), former IRIAA commander, among officers participating Moharam rapid reaction force exercise, phase I.

Left: NEZAJA vehicle fitted with DIO Mesbah-1 (8x30 mm) anti-aircraft system

Right: NEZAJA Kaveh 30 mm belt-fed automatic grenade launcher

NEZAJA lieutenant and first sergeant loading Kaveh 30 mm belt-fed automatic grenade launcher

Detail of belt fitted with training rounds for Kaveh automatic grenade launcher

Transported NEZAJA BTR-60 type armored personnel carrier

NEZAJA Safir ("Ambassador") tactical vehicle fitted with BGM-71 TOW type ATGM

Right: NEZAJA Safir ("Ambassador") tactical vehicle fitted with 107 mm MLR

NEZAJA second sergeant manning vehicle-mounted DShKM type heavy machine gun

Iran military-attached clerics beside NEZAJA captain

NEZAJA Commander Brig. Gen. Ahmad Reza Pourdastan shaking hands with enlisted ranks, before a KrAZ 6322 heavy utility truck.

VIDEOS:

Photos: Islamic Republic News Agency

Iran Rejects Resignation of Its Diplomat in Norway

Iranian foreign minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Monday that he has not accepted the resignation of Mohammad Reza Heydari, Iran’s consul in Norway. Heydari resigned on 7 January in protest at Tehran’s violent suppression of opposition demonstrations during Ashura (27 December).

Mottaki demanded Heydari’s return to Tehran. The Iranian embassy in Oslo and the Iranian foreign ministry in Tehran had until now denied that one of their diplomats had resigned in protest.

Heydari said on Monday in Oslo that he would not return to Iran for fear of repercussions.

"Returning to Tehran would be putting my life and my family's at risk," he said. The diplomat, a married father of two whose family lives with him in Norway, has been stationed in Oslo for just over two years.

"I have worked with Mr. Mottaki and have respect for him. But my message to him is clear: he has to look around him and become aware of what is happening. He has to resign and fight alongside his people, not against his people," Heydari added.