Source: The Voice of Russia
Photo: An Iranian warship and speed boats take part in a naval war game in the Southern Gulf waters. EPA
Large-scale maneuvers of the Iranian Navy code-named Velayat-89 have started in the Gulf of Oman today. The exercises are to last for 8 days with combat ships, submarines and Air Force detachments participating. Late in April joint military exercises took place in the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait is strategically important as it connects the Persian and Oman Gulfs and serves as a transport artery through which about 40% of world oil deliveries by sea are made. Iran has declared more than once that in case of hostilities against the Moslem Republic it will block ship passage through the Strait. In recent years Iran has built a number of naval bases and outposts along its southern coast.