
Iranian navy soldiers take part in a military exercise in the Strait of Hormuz in the Oman Sea, 28 December 2011. EPA/ALI MOHAMMADI / HANDOUT

Iranian navy soldiers take part in a military exercise in the Strait of Hormuz in the Oman Sea, 28 December 2011. The armed forces have increased their maneuvers following renewed speculation about possible Israeli air strikes against the country's nuclear sites. Tehran has so far denied having any plans to close the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, which is a vital transit route in the region for international oil exports, but threatened that it might become 'war-like' if the country was facing a 'war-like situation'. EPA/ALI MOHAMMADI / HANDOUT