TEHRAN (FNA)- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Ground Force Brigadier General Mohmmad Pakpour said the IRGC forces have stretched military operations in Northwestern Iran, as a result of which some of the cornered terrorists have been forced to commit suicide.

Speaking to FNA on Thursday, General Pakpour said, �There was a time when the terrorists used to cross the Iranian border from the South-East, attack Iranian targets and escape. Now, however, we have managed to ground and corner them, forcing them to fight us from behind the borderlines.�

�The terrorists are no longer able to cross the Iranian borders. They no longer control large swathes of land. That�s why they cannot attack Iranian targets like before,� he added.

Earlier this week Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Hassan Firouzabadi announced plans by the IRGC to hold massive missile drills in the final days of the current month.

"The IRGC missile wargames have been communicated to be staged in the first half of (the Iranian month of) Esfand (February 11-March 5)," Firouzabadi said on Monday.

"Testing and evaluating precision-striking capabilities and power, increasing the Armed Forces' preparedness, and strengthening the missile deterrence power are among the main goals of the drills," he added.

Iranian Armed Forces recently test-fired different types of newly-developed missiles and torpedoes and tested a large number of home-made weapons, tools and equipment, including submarines, military ships, artillery, choppers, aircrafts, UAVs and air defense and electronic systems, during massive military drills.

Defense analysts and military observers say that Iran's wargames and its advancements in weapons production have proved as a deterrent factor.

The officials have always underscored that the country's defense program cannot be affected by the nuclear deal clinched between Iran and the world powers on July 14 and the UN Security Council resolutions.

On October 11, Iran successfully test-fired the country's new precision-guided long-range ballistic missile that can be controlled until the moment of impact. Emad carries a conventional warhead.

"This missile (Emad) which has been fully designed and made by Iranian Defense Ministry's scientists and experts is the country' first long-range missile with navigation and strike controlling capability; it is capable of hitting and destroying the targets with high-precision," Defense Minister Brigadier General Hossein Dehqan told reporters after the successful test of Emad missile.

The Iranian Defense Minister reiterated that the manufacture and successful testing of Emad missile is a technological and operational jump in a strategic field, and said, "We don�t ask for anyone's permission for boosting our defense and missile power; we resolutely continue our defense programs, specially in the missile field, and Emad missile is a conspicuous example."

General Dehqan felicitated Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, Armed Forces and nation on the successful testing, and appreciated the scientists and experts of the Aerospace Industries Organization of the Defense Ministry.

The Iranian Defense Minister reiterated that the mass production and delivery of Emad missile to the country's Armed Forces will considerably increase their power and tactical capabilities.

IRGC Lieutenant Commander Brigadier General Hossein Salami announced in December that the IRGC operational units had been supplied with Emad missile.

"Emad missile systems were delivered to the IRGC operational units," Salami told FNA.

He also said the missile will likely be used in the upcoming wargames.

By Fars News Agency