TEHRAN, October 15 (RIA Novosti) - The Iranian Air Force will start on Thursday large scale combat drills in the northwest of the country, Iranian media said on Wednesday.

The exercises will be held near Tabriz in Iran's East Azerbaijan Province to "demonstrate the might and combat readiness of Iran's Air Force."

They will involve the entire range of Iran's fighter fleet, including U.S.-made F-4, F-5, F-7 and F-14 fighters and domestic Saegheh fighters. Mid-air refueling will be provided by Boeing 707 aerial tankers.

The aircraft will be flying from air fields in Tehran, Isfahan, Tabriz and Hamadan.

Iran has conducted several high-profile war games this year, while promising a powerful retaliation in the event of any act of aggression against the country. The United States and Israel have consistently refused to rule out the possibility of military strikes against Iran over its refusal to halt its nuclear program.