Iran stages 'war games'

IRAN'S Revolutionary Guards launched two days of exercises yesterday in the Gulf and Sea of Oman. State television said the war games by air and naval units were "to raise ... combat preparedness".

The United States and Iran are at loggerheads over Tehran's nuclear programme, which the US says is aimed at building atomic bombs, and over Iraq, where Washington says Iran is backing militants. Tehran denies both charges.

The US has ordered a second aircraft carrier to the Gulf, a move regarded as a warning.

"Missile interception and test- firing will be included in the war games," state television said, showing footage of divers jumping out of helicopters and a warship.