Tehran: Iran's state TV says the country has begun large-scale air defence war games aimed at protecting nuclear facilities against any possible attack.

The Sunday report says the five-day drill will cover an area a third of the size of Iran and spread across the central, western and southern parts of the country.

Gen. Ahmad Mighani, head of an air force unit that deals with threats to Iran's air space, said Saturday the war games would cover regions where Iran's nuclear facilities are located.

The US accuses Iran of embarking on a nuclear weapons program. Iran denies that and insists the program is only for peaceful purposes.

Israel has not ruled out military action to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.