Iranian military begins major training run

TEHRAN, Dec. 4 (UPI) -- Members of the Iranian navy and air force are participating in a large training exercise aimed at testing weaponry and improving readiness, an official says.

Iranian navy Adm. Qasem Rostamabadi said naval weaponry would be tested during the six-day maneuvers, while troops participated in training exercises oriented toward improving naval forces readiness, Debkafile said Thursday.

The war games that began Wednesday are also to include simulated airstrikes aimed at sinking large vessels, the military intelligence Web site said.

The start of the training exercise comes as Iranian navy chief Adm. Habibollah Sayyari praised his armed service branch's enhanced abilities.

"Iran has pushed back the frontiers of naval capabilities to become the decisive maritime force in the region," Sayyari said Wednesday.

Debkafile said that Tehran radio reported the exercise is taking place in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz.