The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) -- the ideological arm of Iran's military -- played a key role in Iran's first direct attack on Israel in April, in retaliation for a deadly Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus.

Iranian state TV on Friday said that "a large number of new anti-ship cruise missiles were added to the IRGC naval forces by the order of the Guards chief".

The missiles "have new capabilities" with "high-explosive warheads and being untraceable", it added.

According to the report, a total of 2,654 military systems including long-range and medium-range missiles, drones for combat and reconnaissance, and electronic warfare units were added to the Guards' naval forces.

IRGC chief General Hossein Salami, speaking at an event where some of the new weapon systems were showcased, stressed the importance of being able to "stop the enemy from afar".

"If we cannot engage with the enemy in the depths of the sea and oceans at any desired point and stop the enemy from afar, we will naturally have problems at our national borders," he said.

"In today's world, one must either be strong in order to survive and be safe, or surrender. There is no middle way."

The unveiling of the weapons came as the region, already strained by Israel's war on Gaza since early October, was on high alert after Iran and its allies vowed retaliation for the killing of Hamas's political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran and Hezbollah commander Fuad Shukr in southern Beirut last week.

Israel is widely acknowledged to be responsible for Haniyeh's death and has admitted to the strike that killed Shukr, which occurred hours before the Hamas leader's assassination.

Following Haniyeh's killing, Iranian officials and military commanders have promised to take action against Israel, while calls for regional de-escalation have grown.

On Thursday, Iran's acting foreign minister, Ali Bagheri, told AFP that Israel had committed "a strategic mistake" and should "pay a price" for the Tehran attack.

Iran supports Hamas and Palestinians suffering under Israel's war on Gaza and has repeatedly condemned Israel's assault on the densely populated strip.

Since 7 October, Israel's relentless bombardment and ground invasion have killed at least 39,699 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's health ministry.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.