Iranian Navy due to stage drills in Indian Ocean

Tehran, Nov 21, IRNA – Iranian Navy is scheduled to stage drills in Indian Ocean in the next three months, Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said on Monday. He made the remarks in a press conference. Elaborating on the performance of Iranian Navy, Sayyari said that the Navy carried out an intensive campaign against sea piracy by dispatching 44 fleets to high seas. Iran has also sent five friendship fleets to other countries, the commander said. Underlining the need for Iran's strong presence in the Gulf of Aden to establish sustainable security in the region, Sayyari said that Iranian warships have escorted some 3,844 oil tankers and merchant ships in the Gulf of Aden so far so as to prevent any maybe damage to the country's economy. 1378/IRNA