Article Posted on : - Nov 19, 2010

TEHRAN (AP): An Iranian military official says the country has successfully tested a new air defence missile system during an ongoing five-day exercise.

Gen Hamid Arjangi, a spokesman for the exercise, says the system - known as Mersad, or Ambush in Farsi - was developed by Iranian scientists.

Arjangi did not elaborate on the new system. His announcement Thursday was reported by the official IRNA news agency.

The exercise, which started Tuesday, is meant to showcase Iran's capabilities in defending its nuclear facilities from possible attack.

Iran conducts several war games every year, frequently unveiling new weapons and military systems during the drills.

Its claims often cannot be independently verified.