Tehran: A senior Revolutionary Guard commander threatened on Saturday that US aircraft carriers would be targeted if Iran came under attack amid a standoff with the West over Tehran's nuclear programme.
Iran has often warned of major retaliation if they faced a military strike from Israel or the West, but the latest comments appear tailored to emphasise the expanding range of Iranian missiles following 10 days of war games. The exercises included unveiling underground missile silos that Iran says is capable of multiple launches.
"Aircraft carriers are moving targets. If the enemy threatens us, we will target them," said Amir Ali Hajizadeh, the commander of the Guard's aerospace force, in comments broadcast on state TV.
Hajizadeh also confirmed that Iran secretly conducted missile tests in February that he claimed hit targets at the "mouth of the Indian Ocean", an apparent reference to areas near the Strait of Hormouz at the southern end of the Gulf.
Iran has tried to project its military might outside the Gulf, where the US has several air bases and the home port of the Navy's 5th Fleet in Bahrain.
Last month, British Foreign Secretary William Hague told the House of Commons that Iran has conducted covert tests of ballistic missiles since October in addition to the publicly announced military manoeuvres.
Hajizadeh only confirmed that missile tests were carried out. It was not clear if the covert tests in February were the same as claimed by Hague.
The Islamic Republic remains locked in a standoff with the West over its nuclear programme, which the US and its allies suspect is aimed at developing atomic weapons. Iran denies the charges, and says the programme is only for
peaceful purposes.
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