Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) is holding large-scale military exercises in the Persian Gulf and the strategic Strait of Hormuz as part of nationwide maneuvers, Agence France-Presse reported, citing Iranian media.
The country's national television showed motorboats and surface-to-sea and surface-to-surface missiles used in the maneuvers, dubbed "Ektedar" ("Might" in Persian). They began at the beginning of the month and are expected to continue until mid-March.
"The message of the exercises is peace and friendship for neighboring countries, and that we are capable of guaranteeing the security of this strategic and sensitive region on our own," said Rear Admiral Alireza Tansiri, commander of the IRGC's naval forces.
In the Persian Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, there are three strategic islands, through which a fifth of the world's oil production passes. They are occupied by Iran and are the subject of disputes with the UAE, which has claims to them.
The aim of the exercises is to be able to "face any invasion by forces coming from outside the region. And if the enemy wants to threaten the interests of our heroic nation, it will certainly receive a very strong response," he added.
In previous exercises, the armed forces showed a reconnaissance ship and conducted maneuvers aimed at protecting Iranian nuclear facilities in western and central Iran. US President Donald Trump said today that he hopes to avoid strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and wants a "deal" with Tehran, AFP recalls. The West is worried about the progress of Iran's nuclear program and accuses the Islamic republic of trying to acquire atomic weapons - something the country has denied for years.