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February 5, 2012

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Iran conducts more military exercises

IRAN'S powerful Revolutionary Guard began military exercises yesterday in the country's south, the latest show of force after threats to close the strategic Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for tougher Western sanctions.

Plans for new Iranian naval games in the Persian Gulf off the country's southern coast have been in the works for weeks. State media announced new maneuvers in southern Iran involving ground forces, but it was not clear whether they were part of the planned naval training missions scheduled for this month or a separate operation.

The latest military maneuvers got under way following stern warnings by Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, about any possible US or Israeli attacks against Tehran's nuclear facilities.

It also comes after Western forces boosted their naval presence in the Gulf led by the American aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.

Iran officials and lawmakers have repeatedly said their country would close the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Persian Gulf in retaliation for sanctions that affect Iran's oil exports.

They have as yet made no attempts to disrupt shipping through the waterway, the route for one-fifth of the world's crude oil.

The US and its allies have said they would respond swiftly to any attempts at a blockade.



 

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