TEHRAN, Nov 2: Iran’s Revolutionary Guards fired missiles carrying cluster warheads amid slogans of Allah-o-Akbar at the start of 10 days of military manoeuvres on Thursday, state television reported.

Tehran had said the manoeuvres, dubbed “The Greatest Prophet” and which will include drills in the Gulf and Sea of Oman, were to demonstrate “defensive strength”.

Days before, the US had led naval exercises in the Gulf to practice blocking the transport of weapons of mass destruction.

A military expert said Iran probably wanted to show off home-grown technology and said the missile did not seem to represent a new strategic threat.

Tensions between Iran and Western powers are high as the latter try to agree a draft UN sanctions resolution aimed at forcing Tehran to scale back atomic work they fear may be used to make bombs. Iran says its aims are purely peaceful.

“Dozens of missiles were fired, including Shahab-2 and Shahab-3 missiles. The missiles had ranges from 300km up to 2,000km,” Iran’s main state television channel reported.—Reuters