Iran successfully test-fired on Sunday a new high-speed underwater missile capable of destroying huge warships and submarines, a top military commander announced.

"Today we have successfully test-fired a high-speed underwater missile with a speed of 100 meters per second, which is able to overcome the enemy's sonar and radar," Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, the deputy commander of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards naval force, told state television.

Fadavi claimed the underwater missile was the fastest in the world,

with the exception of a missile developed in another country. He did not provide the other nation's name.

The commander said that even if the missile is detected by a ship's defence systems, "with its high speed, the warships and submarines cannot escape it."

He touted the missile's capabilities.

"Its powerful warhead is capable of destroying large warships and submarines, and the missile itself can be launched from any launching pad," he said.

On Friday, Iran announced it had successfully test-fired a new missile capable of avoiding radar detection and striking a number of targets simultaneously.

The new weapons were tested during a week-long military exercises in the Gulf.

Iran already has medium-range Shahab-3 missiles with a range of 2,000km, putting arch-enemy Israel and US bases in the Middle East within reach.

Thousands of Iranian troops are conducting war games in the Gulf to prepare the country's armed forces for warding off "threats" amid increasing tensions with the West over Tehran's nuclear programme.

The manoeuvres are to involve the Revolutionary Guards Corps navy and air force, Iran's regular army and navy, the volunteer Basij militia, and the Iranian police.

They are set to run from March 31 to April 6 in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman.