Iran Plans Rocket Launches, Naval Drills with Russia

Iran issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM) that it plans rocket launches in areas across its south on Thursday from 330 GMT to 1330 GMT, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration website showed on Wednesday.

Iran conducted navy drills this week in the Hormuz Strait and plans to conduct a joint naval exercise with Russia on Thursday.

"Creating convergence and coordination in joint measures to counter activities threatening maritime security and safety (...) as well as combating maritime terrorism, are among the main goals of this joint exercise," an Iranian navy commander, Hassan Maghsoodloo said according to Fars news.

The notice was issued amid heightened tensions with the U.S., which has deployed warships near Iran, as U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Washington was weighing whether to continue diplomatic engagement with Tehran or pursue other options.

The NOTAM system provides pilots, flight crews and other users of airspace with critical safety notices.

(Reuters - Reporting by Dubai Newsroom and Menna Alaa al Din, Editing by Franklin Paul and Nick Zieminski)