TEHRAN (AFP) -- Iran's armed forces have deployed a new locally-built submarine in Persian Gulf waters, state television reported Tuesday.

The vessel is named the Nahang, meaning whale, and was "built by specialists in the Iranian defense ministry and has the capability to carry multipurpose weapons for different missions", Rear Admiral Sajjad Kuchaki said.

"The submarine is fully adapted to the Persian Gulf," he said, adding that the Iranian navy was pursuing a policy of deterrence in the strategic waters -- home to the world's largest oil reserves.

No further details on the submarine were given.

Last May state media announced Iran had begun producing its first locally-built submarine. At the time it was called the Ghadir.