Iran launches air force exercise in Persian Gulf

Iranian state radio says the country has launched air force maneuvers in its airspace over the Persian Gulf.

Iranian state radio says the country has launched air force maneuvers in its airspace over the Persian Gulf.

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The drill is a show of strength at a time of domestic turmoil over the country’s disputed presidential election.

The report says the three-day Air Force exercise, which began Monday, will use both Russian-made Sukhoi and Iranian-made Saegheh jet fighters.

It says the jets will fly in Iranian airspace over the Persian Gulf and the adjoining Gulf of Oman the passageway for about 40 percent of the world’s crude.

Iran showcased the Saegheh in 2006, claiming it is similar to but more powerful than the American F-18.

The radio quotes Gen. Hossein Chitforoosh as saying the drill seeks to improve the air force’s operational capability.