The "Power Manoeuvre" war games by the elite force in 16 of Iran's 30 provinces come at a time of mounting tension with the United States over Iran's nuclear programme.

"With the firing of short-, average- and long-range missiles by the Revolutionary Guards, 'Power Manoeuvre' has started," the state news agency IRNA reported.

A total of 750 missiles and canon munitions would be fired during the excercise, IRNA said.

The spokesman for the war games told state television that the exercises were aimed at "upgrading the capabilities and readiness of defence of the military forces as well as the deployment of munitions and forces in the early hours of a war".