Iran to launch missiles in Gulf of Oman

TEHRAN, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The Iranian navy plans to test-fire surface-to-air missiles during the final days of military exercises in the Gulf of Oman, a navy official said Saturday.

Seyed Mahmoud Moussavi, deputy commander of the Iranian navy, said it would be the first time such a missile is launched from an Iranian vessel, Fars News Agency reported.

Iran started its 10-day naval war games last weekend in an area stretching from east of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Aden.

Other Iranian officials have denied test-firing missiles during its training exercise, the BBC reported.

The launching of various long- and short-range surface-to-sea, surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles was to commence Saturday, Press TV reported.

Iran said the drills are a defensive measure, and are meant to convey a message of peace and friendship to other countries in the region.