Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is believed to have conducted missile and air defence exercises in Tehran and Shiraz on January 5, with videos circulating on social media showing anti-aircraft fire in the evening and skies on January 5, local Namehnews and eghtesadonline reported.

The drills prompted speculation about Iranian military preparations, with Israeli television and other media sources claiming Tehran is planning a large-scale pre-emptive strike against Israel. The claims could not be independently verified, and the Iranian government has not yet commented on either the missile launches or a potential strike on Israel.

Videos showing air defence activity appeared from multiple locations, including Tehran and Maragheh in northwestern Iran, according to various Persian language social channels.

The exercises come as Iran faces nationwide protests entering their eighth day, with at least 17 people killed and internet restrictions imposed in areas with high demonstration activity.

The IRGC has not issued an official statement confirming the nature or scope of the military activity. Iranian authorities routinely conduct air defence exercises, though the timing coincided with heightened regional tensions.

To add to speculation over Iran's future moves, the country's authorities also posted several banners across Tehran at the start of January threatening further attacks against Israel and the US base in Qatar, with state media publishing images of banners showing locations of previous strikes carried out by the Iranian military. According to social media posts from across the city, the phrase "It Will Happen Again" was posted on the street banners.  

Iran's security establishment faces domestic pressure following President Masoud Pezeshkian's calls on January 5 for respectful treatment of protesters and warnings against forceful methods. Senior Iranian officials have privately acknowledged the regime faces a survival crisis, according to three officials cited by The New York Times.

Iranian security chief Ali Larijani warned on January 2 that American interference in protests would destabilise the region, telling Americans to be "mindful of their soldiers' safety."