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Tehran (AP) - Iran's armed forces have again tested their controversial medium-range missiles during military exercises in the Persian Gulf.
According to the Tasnim news agency, the tests were all successful.
In addition to the missiles with a range of 1,800 kilometers, cruise missiles and drones were also tested in the large-scale sea maneuver of the Navy and the Revolutionary Guard.
In addition, a new helicopter carrier and a new missile ship were presented.
According to Iranian information, they are supposed to provide more security against potential military threats from the United States in the Gulf.
In recent weeks there has been speculation in Iran that US President Donald Trump could provoke a military conflict with Tehran before the end of his term in office.
Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammed Jawad Sarif had accused Trump and his Foreign Minister Mike Pompeo of wanting to “instigate war” against Iran in the last days of their term in office.
"Without them (Trump and Pompeo) the planet will be better off," wrote the Iranian chief diplomat on Twitter.
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Trump not only withdrew from the 2015 Vienna nuclear deal in 2018, but his government also imposed draconian sanctions on Iran.
In the past two years, these have led to an acute economic crisis in the oil-rich state.
Ruhani hopes that Trump's successor Joe Biden will return to the nuclear deal and also lift the sanctions.
A presidential election is due in Iran in June.
According to the leadership in Tehran, the Iranian maneuvers are not a threat to the countries in the region, but merely serve to defend the country against possible attacks.
The West and the Arab Gulf States see it differently.
For them, the Iranian military and missile program is a threat to the Gulf region, where around 40 percent of the world's crude oil is transported.
There is also concern that Iran's medium-range missiles with ranges of up to 2,200 kilometers could hit any part of Israel.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210116-99-49471 / 2
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