Iran 'successfully' tests new locally made cruise missile

The test comes as the US seeks continuation of UN-imposed arms embargo on Iran that targets its missile programme

The IRGC naval force, which often operates in tandem with the Iranian Navy, will build a permanent base in the Indian Ocean.  AFP via IRIB, HO

Iran said on Thursday its navy had successfully fired a new indigenous cruise missile during a naval exercise in the northern Indian Ocean and near the entrance to the Gulf.

The test-firing comes as the United States is seeking an extension of a UN-imposed arms embargo against Iran, which is due to expire in October under Tehran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers. Washington withdrew from that pact.

"During the exercises, short-range and long-range coast-to-sea and sea-to-sea missiles were successfully fired from the coast and from decks of ships, hitting their targets with great precision," the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported.

The new generation cruise missiles, with a range of 280 kilometres were tested during exercises by the Iranian navy in the Gulf of Oman, which lies next to the Strait of Hormuz waterway at the mouth of the Gulf, and the northern Indian Ocean, Tasnim said.

In April, Iran said it had increased the range of its naval missiles to 700km.

Western military analysts say Iran often exaggerates its weapons capabilities but concerns about its long-range ballistic missiles programme contributed to the US decision to leave Iran's 2015 deal to rein in its nuclear ambitions in exchange for an easing of economic sanctions.

In May, Iran said a warship accidentally hit one of its own support vessels with a C-802 Noor Missile killing 19 sailors during an exercise in the Gulf of Oman. The vessel was reportedly sailing close to live fire targets it was laying out for the missile test when it was mistakenly hit.