Iran to test-fire torpedo, more missiles

TEHRAN - AFP - Iran will test-fire a powerful torpedo and more missiles in Gulf war games, the spokesman for this week's military exercises said, vowing Tehran would fend off any aggression on its soil.

"A powerful torpedo made by the Revolutionary Guards will be tested today in the Persian Gulf," Rear Admiral Mohammad Ebrahim Dehqani said, quoted on state television on Monday.

He added that more missiles would be test-fired within days and that the Iranian people would have "important news that will make them proud".

Iran said Sunday it has successfully test-fired a new high-speed underwater missile capable of destroying large warships and submarines.

Dehqani also told the official IRNA news agency that "one of the messages of the war games for the enemies is that if they slightly violate the Islamic republic's interests in the Persian Gulf, we will firmly confront them".

Thousands of Iranian troops are conducting war games in Iran's southern waters to prepare the armed forces for warding off "threats" amid increasing tensions with the West over Tehran's controversial nuclear program.

The maneuvers are to involve the Revolutionary Guards Corps navy and air force, Iran's regular army and navy, the volunteer Basij militia, and the Iranian police.

They kicked off last Friday and are due to run until Thursday.