Iran fires cruise missiles during naval drills in the Gulf of Oman

Iran fires cruise missiles as part of a naval drill in the Gulf of Oman, state media reports, amid heightened tensions with the US.

State TV shows footage of missiles being launched from both land units and ships at sea but doesn’t elaborate on their range or other details. In July, Iran said it test-fired cruise missiles with a range of some 280 kilometers (some 175 miles).

“Enemies should know that any violation and invasion of Iranian marine borders will be targeted by the cruise missiles from both coast and sea,” says Adm. Hamzeh Ali Kaviani, spokesman for the exercise.

The two-day drill began Wednesday when the country’s navy inaugurated its largest military vessel. The exercise takes place amid heightened tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and a US pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic.

In recent weeks, Iran has increased its military drills. On Saturday, the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard held a naval parade in the Persian Gulf and a week earlier Iran held a massive drone maneuver across half the country.