Iran tests drones amid US concern of possible supply to Russia army

The two-day war-games will involve 150 drones and will cover Iran's Gulf coast and most of its territory, state television reported. The country's air-defences and "electronic warfare" capabilities will also be tested against mock enemy drones.

Iran and the regional forces it backs have increasingly relied in recent years on drones in Yemen, Syria, Iraq, and the Strait of Hormuz at the mouth of the Gulf.

"The capability of our nation and Iran's armed forces is such that it can stand against all threats and it is a mistake to test us” said Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, deputy coordinator of Iran's army.

The United States said earlier this month that Russian officials were being trained in Iran as part of an agreement on the transfer of drones between the two countries, and accused Tehran of planning to supply hundreds of unmanned aircraft to Moscow for use in Ukraine.

Iran's foreign minister denied the claim last month, including in a phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart.