Crew evacuated from support vessel Kharg after blaze breaks out on board in the Gulf of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz

An alleged limpet mine explosion on the MV Helios Ray fits Tehran's modus operandi, and may prove a challenge for Jerusalem to defend against

Exercise is 2nd of its kind since 2019, when the 2 countries were joined by China; comes among other moves perceived as pressure on US

'Enemies should know that any violation and invasion of Iranian marine borders will be targeted by the cruise missiles,' admiral warns amid heightened tensions with US

Iranian navy shows off 2 new warships during military exercises in Gulf of Oman; President Rouhani says US sanctions will fail

Iranian state TV says hundreds of boats participate in exercise

Vice Adm. Sam Paparo says that while 'exacerbated by world events,' he has found Iranian maritime behavior to be 'cautious and circumspect and respectful'

Commander of exercise dubbed Zolfaghar-99 says it is aimed at 'improving readiness in confronting foreign threats and any possible invasion'; said to involve drones, submarines

'Great Prophet 14' maneuvers, held as US pushes to renew UN weapons sanctions on Tehran, include fast attack boat and drone attacks on a mock American carrier

Vessel, seen from satellite photos, resembles Nimitz-class carriers US Navy routinely sails into Persian Gulf from the Strait of Hormuz