Iran Navy To Be Present In Atlantic Ocean Soon: Commander

Tehran, March 16, IRNA - Navy aims to be present in the Atlantic Ocean in the next Iranian year (starts March 21), Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said on Friday. He made the remarks in a ceremony held to celebrate the end of the current Iranian year. ˈIranian navyˈs presence in the Pacific Ocean and in particular in the South China Sea this year was a very important step forward for the Islamic Republicˈs navy which aims to be present in the international waters.ˈ The commander also said that for the first time Iranˈs naval forces crossed the equator in the Pacific Ocean. Sayyari added that Iran will be holding joint exercises with Oman in the Persian Gulf next Iranian year. He said the joint exercises will feature rescue and relief operations. The commander previously said that Iran and Oman together with other friendly and brotherly countries in the region can establish security in the important region which includes the sensitive and strategic Strait of Hormuz. The Omani commander, for his part, said Muscat is eager to develop military ties with Iran in naval fields and hold more joint naval drills. In January 2013, Iranian and Omani naval units staged a series of joint maneuvers in Iranˈs Southern waters to practice their skills and capabilities in rescue and relief operations. The Iranian Navyˈs surface and air units as well as several units of Omanˈs Royal Navy Force took part in the Iran-Oman joint relief and rescue drills in the Southern waters of Iranˈs Hormuz Island. Iranian officials have repeatedly warned the trans-regional states, specially the US, to pull their troops and warships out of the Persian Gulf, underlining the necessity for the establishment of security in the Persian Gulf through extensive and all-out cooperation among the regional states. In relevant remarks in December, a senior military aide to the Iranian supreme leader said that trans-regional powers are trying to confine Iranˈs power through sparking insecurity around the country. ˈThe trans-regional enemies are pursuing a certain view (on Iran) and are creating insecurities in the regions around our country in a bid to block the Islamic Republic of Iranˈs progress and emergence of a mighty Iran,ˈ senior Military Aide to the Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi said at the time. He further said that the Persian Gulf region plays a key role in Iranˈs plans for progress and prosperity, and underlined the necessity for advancement, justice and durable security in the region. Meanwhile, in recent years, Iran’s Navy has been increasing its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for Iranian merchant vessels and tankers. In addition, in line with the international efforts to combat piracy, the Iranian Navy has been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008 to safeguard the vessels involved in maritime trade, especially the ships and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran./end