BANDAR ABBAS Iran's Navy has successfully carried out repair on one of its submarines in the Persian Gulf, a deputy navy commander in southern Iran Gholam-Abbas Vahmani said here Tuesday.

The repair was carried out on a four-month span on the sub, making it one of the operational undersea units in the ongoing war games which kicked off on Friday, IRNA said.

He said the repair and reconstruction of the submarine was carried out solely by Iranians.

Iranian submarines on Friday plunged deep at the mouth of the Persian Gulf to shadow mock enemy warships at the start of naval exercises.

The country has bought three kilo-class subs from Russia, intended for its defensive purposes in the strategic Persian Gulf waters.

The Russian-built diesel submarines had earlier passed through the strategic Hormoz Strait after getting clearance from minesweepers while navy helicopters kept watch overhead.

The submarines were moving to the Gulf of Oman, the main site of the five-day drills that also include anti-submarine warfare exercises by destroyer ships.

During Khatami's visit to Moscow in March, Russian officials said Russia might sell more diesel-powered submarines and other arms to Iran despite objections by the United States.

Moscow said the supplies would be solely to ensure Tehran's defense needs.