Iran shoots down simulated enemy aircraft

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TEHRAN, July 11 (UPI) -- Iranian artillery units shot down an unmanned stealth aircraft during military exercises in the northwest of the country, a military leader said.

Iran announced it wrapped up its third and final day of air defense exercises. Brig. Gen. Shahrokh Shahram reported his artillery units shot down an unmanned stealth aircraft meant to simulate enemy forces. The aircraft was detected electronically, Iran's state-funded broadcaster Press TV reports.

Press TV reports the military exercise was meant as a response to "the enemy's psychological warfare" against Iran.

Simulated enemy bases were hit by Iranian drones last week during operations in the southeast Lut Desert dubbed Great Prophet 7.

Tehran and some Western allies are at a standstill over nuclear concerns. Washington had said all options are on the table to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

U.S. military assets have been positioned in the Persian Gulf to increase the ability to protect the shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, a key conduit for oil transits from the region.