Iran fires ballistic missiles in Persian Gulf military drill
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired ballistic and cruise missiles during combat maneuvers in the Persian Gulf on Tuesday, Iranian state television reported.
According to Reuters, the launch of these missiles comes amid heightened tensions with the United States and Israel over possible Israeli plans to target Iranian nuclear facilities.
Major General Hossein Salami, commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary Guards, told Iranian state television that the use of ballistic missiles in the IRGC Navy is a new phenomenon. He said the missiles hit their targets with “100 percent” accuracy.
Iran says its ballistic missiles have a range of 2,000 kilometers and can reach Israeli and American bases in the region.
Iran warned on Monday that any Israeli action against Iran would be met with a crushing response.
Israel has repeatedly stated its opposition to the revival of the JCPOA and has said that if diplomacy fails, it reserves the right to take action against Iran's nuclear program.
Iran says its nuclear program is peaceful. Israel, widely believed to be the only country in the Middle East with a nuclear arsenal, has called Iran's nuclear program an existential threat.
Iranian media reported that the exercise also saw the simultaneous firing of five cruise missiles and the use of armed drones, each capable of hitting two targets.
The exercise began on Monday and will continue for five days.
Source: Voice of America
