Iran to launch missiles in Gulf

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 the East of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Aden.

Other Iranian officials have denied test-firing missiles in the Gulf, the BBC reported.

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

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