Trump trial attorney frustrated over gag order argument    Saudi Foreign Minister participates in EU-GCC forum, discusses Gaza and regional security    Cabinet approves opening UBS AG Bank of Switzerland branches in Saudi Arabia    MECOTEC forays into Saudi Arabia bringing cryo technology catering to diversifying health and lifestyle trends    Tragic mid-air collision during Malaysian military exercise results in 10 fatalities    AI company aiming to solve teacher shortage crisis    Driving innovation and sustainability: An interview with Mohammed Salem AL Ojaimi, Chairman of AL Ojaimi Industrial Group    Australian PM calls Elon Musk an 'arrogant billionaire' in row over attack footage    Diabetic Delhi leader finally gets insulin jab in jail    Tourism Ministry shuts 67 erring hospitality facilities in 3 months    Saudi Arabia announces recalling 33,350 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus cars over transmission issue    NCM study: Frequency of rainfall will increase throughout Saudi Arabia in future    Spice Girls reunite at Posh's 50th birthday    Swedish rider Eckermann wins 2024 Show Jumping World Cup in Riyadh    Aspiring fencer Josh Brayden aims for Olympic glory    Revenues touch SR3.7 billion in Saudi cinema sector since 2018    PIF partners with Mutua Madrid Open to elevate global tennis    Beijing half marathon: Top three stripped of medals after investigation    Taylor Swift releases surprise double album    Al Ain ends Al Hilal's record streak with a 4-2 win in AFC Champions League semi-final    JK Rowling in 'arrest me' challenge over hate crime law    Trump's Bible endorsement raises concern in Christian religious circles    Hollywood icon Will Smith shares his profound admiration for Holy Qur'an    We have celebrated Founding Day for three years - but it has been with us for 300    Exotic Taif Roses Simulation Performed at Taif Rose Festival    Asian shares mixed Tuesday    Weather Forecast for Tuesday    Saudi Tourism Authority Participates in Arabian Travel Market Exhibition in Dubai    Minister of Industry Announces 50 Investment Opportunities Worth over SAR 96 Billion in Machinery, Equipment Sector    HRH Crown Prince Offers Condolences to Crown Prince of Kuwait on Death of Sheikh Fawaz Salman Abdullah Al-Ali Al-Malek Al-Sabah    HRH Crown Prince Congratulates Santiago Peña on Winning Presidential Election in Paraguay    SDAIA Launches 1st Phase of 'Elevate Program' to Train 1,000 Women on Data, AI    41 Saudi Citizens and 171 Others from Brotherly and Friendly Countries Arrive in Saudi Arabia from Sudan    Saudi Arabia Hosts 1st Meeting of Arab Authorities Controlling Medicines    General Directorate of Narcotics Control Foils Attempt to Smuggle over 5 Million Amphetamine Pills    NAVI Javelins Crowned as Champions of Women's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) Competitions    Saudi Karate Team Wins Four Medals in World Youth League Championship    Third Edition of FIFA Forward Program Kicks off in Riyadh    Evacuated from Sudan, 187 Nationals from Several Countries Arrive in Jeddah    SPA Documents Thajjud Prayer at Prophet's Mosque in Madinah    SFDA Recommends to Test Blood Sugar at Home Two or Three Hours after Meals    SFDA Offers Various Recommendations for Safe Food Frying    SFDA Provides Five Tips for Using Home Blood Pressure Monitor    SFDA: Instant Soup Contains Large Amounts of Salt    Mawani: New shipping service to connect Jubail Commercial Port to 11 global ports    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Delivers Speech to Pilgrims, Citizens, Residents and Muslims around the World    Sheikh Al-Issa in Arafah's Sermon: Allaah Blessed You by Making It Easy for You to Carry out This Obligation. Thus, Ensure Following the Guidance of Your Prophet    Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques addresses citizens and all Muslims on the occasion of the Holy month of Ramadan    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Iran warns foreign ships near Strait of Hormuz
Published in The Saudi Gazette on 02 - 01 - 2013

TEHRAN — Iran's navy issued dozens of warnings to foreign planes and warships that approached its forces during a five-day sea maneuver near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a semi-official news agency reported Tuesday.
Mehr quoted Adm. Amir Rastgari, spokesman for the exercise, as saying that naval and air defense forces on 30 occasions warned off reconnaissance planes, drones and warships belonging to “extraregional forces” that approached the drill, using a term that Tehran commonly employs to refer to the militaries of the US and its allies.
The five-day naval drill, dubbed Velayat-91, is Iran's latest show of strength in the face of mounting pressures over its disputed nuclear program. The West suspects it may be aimed at producing nuclear weapons, a charge Iran denies.
Iran has threatened to close the strait over Western sanctions but has not repeated the threats lately. The strait is the passageway for one-fifth of the world's oil supply.
Rastgari said the aircraft and warships heeded the warnings and stayed away.
“Various reconnaissance aircraft that sought to penetrate into the drill area were given warnings by the navy and the Khatam-Ol-Anbia (air defense force) ... Subsequently, the intelligence planes and drones distanced from the area after receiving the warnings,” Rastgari said.
Iran has used the maneuvers to highlight recently-developed weapons systems.
State TV said “Ghader,” or “Capable,” a sea-launched anti-ship missile with a range of 200 kilometers (120 miles), was among the weapons used in the final day of navy drills Tuesday.
Ghader missile was delivered in late 2011 to the Iranian military and the powerful Revolutionary Guard's naval division, which is assigned to protect Iran's sea borders. Iranian officials say the missile can skim the sea to avoid detection and can sink large warships.
TV said the navy also used another anti-ship missile, dubbed Noor, or Light, during the drill. It showed several missiles being fired and hitting their targets at sea. Reports on the maneuvers say Iran also used its electronic warfare systems.
Iran's growing arsenal includes short- and medium-range ballistic missiles that are capable of hitting targets in the region such as Israel and US military bases in the Gulf.
Iran began a military self-sufficiency program in 1992, under which it produces a large range of weapons, including tanks, missiles, jet fighters, unmanned drone aircraft and torpedoes.
The maneuvers cover nearly 1 million sq. kilometers (400,000 sq. miles) from the Strait of Hormuz to the northern part of Indian Ocean, including the Sea of Oman. — AP


Clic here to read the story from its source.