Iran to stage missile war games

Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards began a 10-day missile training exercise on Monday, which will reportedly include the firing of different range ballistic missiles, the state news agency IRNA reported.

The exercise is titled the "Great Prophet Mohammad War Games," and was referred to as "Great Prophet-6." IRNA reported that Revolutionary Guards Commander General Amir Ali Hajizadeh confirmed the exercise will take place, without specifying how long the maneuvers will last.

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"Short, medium and long-range missiles will be fired, especially the Khalij-Fars, Sejil, Fateh, Ghiam, and Shahab-1 and -2 missiles," Hajizadeh said, adding the drill meant "to preserve (Iran's) readiness against enemy strikes,"

The general, whose force carries out war games each year in the Gulf region, said the latest exercises were "a message of peace and friendship to the countries of the area."

In late May, Iran said it had equipped the Revolutionary Guards with a new surface-to-surface missile, the Qiam-1, which was built locally and test-fired last August.

Missile defense

Iran says it has a wide range of missiles, some capable of striking targets inside arch-foe Israel as well as US bases in the Middle East.

The Islamic Republic regularly boasts about developing missiles having substantial range and capabilities, but Western military experts cast doubt on its claims.

Iran's missile program is under the control of the Guards.

Its space and missile programs have been a concern in the West, which fears Tehran is developing a ballistic capability to launch potential nuclear weapons which it suspects Iran aims to develop under the guise of its civilian atomic program.

Iran has steadfastly denied these Western charges, saying its nuclear and space programs have no military objectives.

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