Iran to Hold More Naval Drills in Strait of Hormuz Next Month - East Idaho News
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Iran to Hold More Naval Drills in Strait of Hormuz Next Month

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GETTY W 010512 NavalDrillsIran?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1325850365511EBRAHIM NOROOZI/AFP/Getty Images(TEHRAN, Iran) — After completing 10 days of maritime wargames earlier this week, Iran announced Friday it will conduct more naval exercises in February.

Previewing the event, Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier Gen. Ahmad Vahidi — as quoted by Fars News Agency — told reporters on Wednesday that the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps’ next set of naval drills would be the “greatest.”

The exercises will take place in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz — the same region where the last drills were held. Those 10-day wargames were deemed “successful” by Navy Commander Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayyari, according to Fars News Agency.

The announcement of the new drills comes as tension with the West grows.  Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passageway for around one-fifth of the world’s oil, and has warned American ships against trying to pass through without permission. The Pentagon has asserted such a blockade will not be tolerated.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

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