Iran starts navy drills

DUBAI: Iran started yesterday six days of naval drills in the Strait of Hormuz, IRNA reported.
Naval commander Habibollah Sayyari said the “Velayat 91” drills would last until Wednesday across an area of about 1 million sq. km in the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman and northern parts of the Indian Ocean, IRNA said.
Sayyari said the goal of the maneuvers were to show “the armed forces’ military capabilities” in defending Iran’s borders as well as sending a message of peace and friendship to neighboring countries.
Sayyari was quoted as saying on Tuesday that the new drill would test the navy’s missile systems, combat ships, submarines and patrol and reconnaissance methods.