NZ military reported in training for Iran invasion

A respected Middle East intelligence website is reporting New Zealand and Australian military have been part of a multinational training exercise that could be a precursor for war with Iran.

“Some 20,000 marines, seamen and air crews from half a dozen countries, a US nuclear aircraft carrier strike group and three US Marine gunship carriers are practicing an attack on a fictitious mechanized enemy division which has invaded its neighbor,” reported DebkaFile this month.

“It is the largest amphibian exercise seen in the West for a decade, staged to simulate a potential Iranian invasion of an allied Persian Gulf country and a marine landing on the Iranian coast. Based largely on US personnel and hardware, French, British, Italian, Dutch, Australian and New Zealand military elements are integrated in the drill.”

The exercise wrapped up yesterday.