Iran tests another naval missile

Iran carried out another test firing of a naval missile with the successful launch of the Hormuz-2 missile, AFP reported citing Iranian media.

According to AFP, General Amir-Ali Hadjizadeh, commander of the air wing of the Revolutionary Guards, told Iranian media that the missile destroyed a target that was 250 kilometres (155 miles) away in the Gulf of Oman.

The launch of Hormuz-2 comes just weeks after the Iranian Navy tested the Nasr cruise missile during Iran’s annual Velayat drill that was held in the second half of February in the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman and North of the Indian Ocean.

Iran’s missile launches are taking place in a time of heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. Navy ships operating in the region.

Less than a week ago, Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps boats harassed a group of U.S. and Royal Navy vessels. On March 4, U.S. Navy’s missile launch tracking ship USNS Invincible was forced to change course in order to avoid collision with one of the boats during the incident.

Countering reports made by U.S. officials, an Iranian commander blamed the U.S. for the incident claiming the USNS Invincible changed course towards Iranian boats.