TEHRAN (Reuters) -- Iran plans to hold air-defense maneuvers aimed at protecting its nuclear facilities, a senior commander was quoted as saying today.
The official IRNA news agency said the war games, involving both the elite Revolutionary Guards and the regular armed forces, would be staged during the Iranian week that started on November 21, but did not give any further details.
"This week's air-defense maneuvers will be held with the intention of protecting the country's nuclear facilities," Fars news agency quoted Brigadier General Ahmad Mighani as saying. He heads the armed forces' air-defense headquarters.
Iran often holds defense drills and announces advances in military capabilities in a bid to show its readiness to counter any military threats over its disputed nuclear program.
The United States and Israel have not ruled out military action if diplomacy fails to resolve the row over nuclear work that the West suspects is aimed at making bombs.
Iran, which says its nuclear program is a peaceful drive to generate electricity, has threatened to hit back at Israel and U.S. bases in the Persian Gulf if it is attacked.