Iranian media is conveying government boasts over new surface-to-surface missiles available to Tehran’s navy. The announcement comes on the eve of naval exercises, which include a range of Iranian assets including destroyers and homegrown drones, and which involve surface combat, subsurface combat, and electronic warfare. Analysts have expressed concern over the increased self-sufficiency of Iran’s military, with the Islamic republic now able to build its own advanced ships and submarines. The week-long exercise begins Friday and will take place in the Persian Gulf where the U.S. 5th fleet is currently deployed, according to Navy Commander Rear-Admiral Habibollah Sayyari.

[Photo: Yuriy Lapitskiy / Wiki Commons]