Iranian Air Force deputy chief Brig. Gen. Aziz Nasirzadeh confirmed the
exercise. Nasirzadeh said the date of the combat maneuvers was not set and
depended on the completion of arrangements with the unidentified country.
"Conducting any exercise indicates the Air Force's ability and
readiness to achieve pre-determined objectives," Nasirzadeh said on Aug. 17.
In February, the Air Force disclosed Iranian plans to conduct an
exercise with another country. Air force commander Brig. Gen. Hassan
Shahsafi said Teheran was seeking a regional partner.
Iran has long sought to recruit Gulf Arab states for military exercises.
Earlier this year, Qatar, which contains a U.S. military presence, conducted a
maritime security exercise with Iran in the Gulf. Oman, another Gulf
Cooperation Council state, has also agreed to military cooperation with
Iran.
Teheran's Air Force consists of U.S-origin F-4, F-5 and F-14
fighter-jets obtained from Washington in the 1970s. The Air Force has also
been operating MiG-29 fighter-jets from Russia.