Ongoing wargames in the Persian Gulf convey a message of "peace and amity" for regional counties, said a senior Iranian military commander. "We are striving to achieve regional security and strengthen peace and stability in the region," said Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi Wednesday.
"The US should recognize Iran as a regional power," he said, adding that "military intimidation or economic sanctions would not be to the benefit of the West."
A joint maritime military exercise, dubbed Great Prophet (PBUH), started Friday in the Persian Gulf waters. It will continue until April 6, IRNA reported.
About 17,000 combatants from Iran's naval and air forces, Islamic Revolution's Guards Corps (IRGC), police and Basij (voluntary) forces are taking part in the joint wargames in which world's fastest underwater missile was successfully test-fired.
According to the official, over 1,500 gunboats along with various kinds of fighters, bombers and choppers are taking part in the maneuver.
