The aim of the war games is improving the combat capability of the missile and naval units.

The Revolutionary Guards are Iran’s ideological army who have their own ground forces, navy and air forces which operate in parallel to the regular armed forces. The Guards are also responsible for Iran’s most significant ballistic missiles including the Shahab-3 longer range missile, whose range has Israel and US bases in the Gulf within reach.

The agency, which is known for its contacts in the security forces, gave no further details on the war games. Such exercises are normally held in Gulf.

Tensions have risen in recent weeks over Iran’s nuclear programme, which West fears could be aimed at making a nuclear weapon but Tehran insists is only aimed at producing energy. It emerged last month that Iran’s arch enemy Israel had carried out manoeuvres in Greece that were effectively practice runs for a potential strike against Iranian nuclear facilities.

The US has also said that the option of military force remains on the table but Iran has warned in return that any aggression against its soil will be met with a crushing response.