Iran starts war games near Iraq

Reports from Iran say the army has started two major military exercises in the south-western province of Fars, and in Khuzestan, near the border with Iraq.

The commander of the army's ground force General Abdolali Purshasb told Iranian radio that the exercises would last for a week and involved infantry, armoured and air force units.

The manoeuvres include day and night attacks, defence, counter-attacks and the consolidation of captured areas. Reports say large-scale military exercises also began in central Esfahan Province on Friday.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service