The Iranian Foreign Ministry said Friday that the latest ballistic missile test by Iran did not violate any UN Security Council resolutions or the 2015 nuclear deal, adding that the United Kingdom's claims are regarded as meddling in Iran's internal affairs.

Earlier in the day, Fars news agency reported that 16 surface-to-surface ballistic missiles were launched from platforms on ships and others on the coast to hit their specific target at sea at the same time. The UK has denounced Iran's missile test as "a clear breach of UN Security Council Resolution 2231, which requires that Iran not undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons – including launches using ballistic missile technology."

The Iranian foreign ministry commented on UK’s claims by saying, "Iran acts in compliance with international laws and regulations as well as its own defense needs, therefore, such statements and stance are not only regarded as meddling in Iran's internal affairs but also continue London's double standard policy."

It is worth noting that the fourth day of the Grand Prophet 17 exercise marked the first launch of precision-strike, intermediate-range cruise missiles from a warship. Air operations of IRGC naval drones were also carried out.  

Marine cruise missiles were fired successfully from floating and coastal platforms, simultaneously hitting specific targets at sea in the presence of IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri and a group of high-ranking commanders.

Footage showed that missiles with a range of about 180 kilometers hit their targets accurately.

“Military drills carry the message of safeguarding national security”

Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan, the IRGC's deputy head of operations and exercise spokesman, announced Monday the start of the exercise.

"The military exercise is meant to increase the preparedness of the IRGC combat units," Nilforoushan said, adding that "the military drills carry the message of defending and safeguarding national security."

During this exercise, he noted, the naval and airspace forces of the IRGC and the cyber-electronic unit in the coastal region of Hormozgan Province, Bushehr, and part of Khuzestan, will carry out strategic offensive operations simulating the forces assuming control of and destroying the bases of the enemy.