Iran armed forces launch air defence war games

Iran's armed forces launched large-scale air defence war games to show off the country's deterrence capabilities in the face of pressure from the West over its nuclear programme. The display of military muscle comes at a time of rising tension between Iran and six major powers, which fear Tehran's nuclear programme is aimed at producing nuclear weapons. Tehran denies this is the programme's purpose. Commander of the Guards' air wing Brigadier General Amir Ali Hajizadeh said on Monday that the large-scale aerial manoeuvre will last until Thursday and is aimed at displaying Iran's deterrent military power in aerial combats.