Iran's Revolutionary Guards will conduct a three-day military exercise in the Persian Gulf starting Thursday, a top military official said.

Brigadier General Hossein Salami, deputy commander of the Revolutionary Guards, told the Fars news agency on Wednesday ground, air, and naval units would take part in the drill designed to "ensure security in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and the Gulf of Oman."

They will test an array of indigenous missiles and other weapons.

"Missiles and other weapons will be used... to test Iran's defense capability," Salami said.

Iranian military officials have repeatedly warned that if Tehran is attacked, it will hit back by blocking the Strait of Hormuz.

Nearly 40% of the world's seaborne oil shipments pass through this strategically important waterway between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

MOSCOW, April 21 (RIA Novosti)