TEHRAN, April 22 (Xinhua) -- Iran began a large-scale military exercise in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, local satellite Press TV reported. To show the country's defensive capabilities and determination to maintain security in the region, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) began a massive military exercise in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, said the report.
The three-day maneuver dubbed the "Great Prophet 5," in which the IRGC's air, naval and ground forces were participating, coincides with the 31st anniversary of the establishment of the IRGC, the report added.
"The main objective of this war game is to preserve the security of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway for the global energy and economy," IRGC's Deputy Commander Brigadier General Hossein Salami was quoted by Press TV as saying.
On Wednesday, Salami said the drill carries the message of " peace and friendship" for Persian Gulf states, adding "the military exercise is not a threat to any neighboring country," Press TV reported.
"Iran is prepared to stage joint drills with its southern neighbors in the Persian Gulf," the semi-official Fars news agency quoted Salami as saying on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi told reporters on Wednesday that Iran will test new weapons in the military drills.
"The drill aimed to prepare Iran's armed forces and IRGC will test new weapons to further safeguard the security of the region," Vahidi was quoted as saying by Fars.
