TEHRAN: The Iranian army unveiled an advanced reconnaissance ship on Wednesday, as the military conducted drills nationwide focused on safeguarding the country`s nuclear facilities.

`The country`s first signals intelligence ship, named Zagros, is added to the Navy`s combat operations,` state TV reported. The Iranian-made vessel is equipped with `electronic sensors`, interceptors, and other cyber and intelligence capabilities, the report said.

The launch comes days into major military exercises conducted by the army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which are set to continue until mid-March and are focused on protecting key nuclear sites, including Natanz, Fordow and Khondab.

Navy chief Admiral Shahram Irani, quoted by state media, said that the new spy ship `will be the watchful eye of the Iranian navy in the depths of the seas and oceans`.

The war games are set to coincide with the inauguration on Monday of US president-elect Donald Trump, which along with increased enrichment activity has put Iran`s nuclear programme under close watch.-AFP