The IRGC Ground Force said the team, representing Iran’s Armed Forces, traveled to Belarus to take part in the SCO member states’ joint anti-terrorism exercise.

The IRGC said Iran’s participation in the drill comes as Western and European countries seek to undermine the Islamic Republic’s relations with regional countries, adding that the exercise is part of Tehran’s continued strategic engagement with SCO members.

It said the IRGC Ground Force special forces team was dispatched to Belarus to participate in the exercise and exchange experience with the armed forces of other member states.

Last year, the IRGC Ground Force hosted the SCO anti-terrorism exercise in Shabestar area of northwestern Iran, serving as the fourth country to host the drill.