Ground forces of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps launched a new round of drills in central Iran on Sunday. IRGC infantry units and battalions of The Basiji voluntary forces will take part in the two-day exercises.

An Iranian long-range shore-to-sea missile launched during war games in southern Iran. [File photo]

The drills - code-named Valfajr - took place in the deserts of central Iran in the province of Yazd. The drills are aimed at enhancing combat preparedness of IRGC forces and as a show of force against possible threats from non-regional enemies. The drills are also meant to serve as a deterrent, practice modern defensive tactics and test advanced home-grown military equipment.

Earlier in the month, IRGC ground forces conducted two rounds of separate military exercises, one of them near the country's southern waters and near the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

A top commander from Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard said on Monday that Tehran's decision to conduct the latest exercise was in response to US and EU decisions to impose tough new sanctions targeting Iran's oil sector.

Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari, Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, said, "All this is the result of the threats the West and the US made regarding banning Iranian oil. The West is the party suffering as a result of these actions (made by Iran) and the tension in the region. A major effect of the crisis is a hike in oil and energy prices. As the enemy threatens us, we want to show our power and show that we, Islamic Iran, are the guards of the regional security and the Strait of Hormuz - and the responsibility for compromising security of the region lies with aggressive countries that sail around the region."