Iran tested long-range ballistic missiles during a military exercise, just days before the Presidential transition in the US. State television reported that Iran’s Revolutionary Guards fired long-range ballistic missiles into the Indian Ocean, following the testing of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles and locally manufactured drones. The long-range missiles have a range of around 1,800 km and are capable of hitting moving targets in the ocean, Reuters reported citing Iran’s state television. The missile targets were located in the Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean.

The state media quoted Revolutionary Guards commander Major General Hossein Salami as saying, “One of our most important defence policy goals is to use long-range ballistic missiles against enemy warships, including aircraft carriers and warships.” However, Iran added that it has no offensive intentions and will use the capabilities to respond to hostile acts. According to Reuters, Iran has one of the biggest missile programmes in the Middle East.