Iran to hold military drill over Strait of HormuzDecember 19, 2013 - 13:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The acting chief of Iran's air force said his pilots will hold a military drill over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the waterway for one-fifth of the world's oil tanker traffic, according to the Associated Press. Gen. Ali Reza Barkhor said the maneuvers are part of annual exercises meant to show off Iran's air defense capabilities and military readiness. Barkhor told state TV on Thursday, Dec 19, that the exercise will also extend into the Persian Gulf waters. In past years, Iran had threatened to block the waterway in retaliation for international sanctions over its controversial nuclear program, but Tehran no longer issues such warnings. Barkhor said the two-day drill is to begin on Friday. Iran's air force has U.S. and Russian-made fighter planes as well as their home-made replicas. Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Putin congratulates Pashinyan’s birthday Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on his birthday on June 1. Opposition motorcade en route to Gyumri for large rally A motorcade of protesters headed by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is heading to the city of Gyumri. Ruling MPs, Foreign Minister talk Armenia-Azerbaijan processes MOs from the ruling Civil Contract party met with the Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan in the Armenian parliament. Russia: Armenia’s frozen membership weakens CSTO position in Caucasus A Russian envoy said any step that could alienate the CSTO member states from each other is “deeply wrong”. |