Iran’s Revolutionary Guards destroyed targets using their ballistic and cruise missiles on Tuesday during war games in the Gulf, according to state TV. This missile test is seen as an Iranian show of force against the US and Israel, amid heightened tensions between Iran and the two countries over possible Israeli plans to target Iranian nuclear sites.
Speaking to the broadcaster, Guards chief General Hossein Salami said: “The use of ballistic missiles by the Revolutionary Guards’ navy is a new concept … and they hit their targets with 100% precision.”
Iran has claimed that its ballistic missiles have a range of 2,000 km and are capable of reaching Israel and U.S. military bases in the Middle East.
On Monday, Tehran warned of a “crushing” response to any act of aggression taken by Israel, which is staunchly opposed to Iran becoming a nuclear power.
Israel currently opposes efforts by world powers to revive Tehran’s 2015 nuclear deal. It has even threatened military action against Iran if diplomacy fails to prevent the country from acquiring a nuclear bomb.
Meanwhile, Iran insists that its nuclear ambitions are peaceful.
Currently, Israel is the only country in the Middle East that has a nuclear arsenal.
The exercises also included the simultaneous firing of five cruise missiles and the launch of armed drones capable of hitting two targets each, Iranian media reported. The five-day drills began on Monday.
Tensions have been growing between the two countries with Iran last week sending a chilling warning to Israel, saying that it will seek to defend itself following a series of threats by Tel Aviv towards Tehran.
Source » express