Iran has kicked off an annual air force drill in the central part of the country, as the United States sends additional fighter planes and a warship to the region.
The drill, named Fadaeian Velyat-11, or Devotees of the Supreme Leader-11, involves 11 Iranian air force bases and over 90 fighter planes, bombers, and drones.
Air Force Chief Gen.
Hamid Vahedi stated that the drill aims to promote friendship, peace, and security in the region and to demonstrate Iran's military capabilities.
The US's decision to send additional fighter jets and a warship to the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman is in response to Iranian attempts to seize commercial ships in the area.
The USS Thomas Hudner, a destroyer, and a number of F-35 fighter jets will be heading to the region.
The US Navy has said that Iranian naval vessels have opened fire on at least one of the commercial ships and that they have seized at least five commercial vessels in the last two years.
Tensions between the US and Iran have been high since the administration of former President
Donald Trump withdrew from Iran's 2015 nuclear agreement with world powers and restored crippling sanctions.
Iran has responded by ramping up its nuclear activities and providing drones to Russia for its war against Ukraine.
The West accuses Iran of using seized commercial vessels as bargaining chips, which Iran denies.