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Israeli jets practice as tension with Iran grows | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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JERUSALEM (AP) – Israeli defense officials say the country’s air force has completed a large-scale exercise simulating war on several fronts with enemies that include Iran.

They say this week’s exercise included Israel’s entire air arm and was meant to prepare for an all-out war, including missile attacks aimed at Israeli cities.

They spoke Friday on condition of anonymity because details of the maneuver were not made public.

The maneuver lasted four days and ended Thursday. The military said the exercise was a routine part of its annual training program. But it comes at a time of increasing friction surrounding Iran’s nuclear program, which Israel believes is aimed at producing a nuclear weapon it sees as an existential threat. Iran has denied the charge.