Iran's Velayat-91 Drills Aim To Enhance Regional Security : Minister

Tehran, Dec 30, IRNA – Minister of Defense Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said on Saturday that the naval drills dubbed Velayat-91 aimed at testing new tactics and improving regional security. He told reporters that examining the readiness of the naval forces and testing new equipment to check their effectiveness are among other objectives of the drills. He further described as destructive the presence of foreign forces in the region. He said there is no reason for their presence in the region, noting that the presence of alien forces in the region is also harmful to the environment. Referring to regular maneuvers being staged by the Iranian armed forces, Vahidi said all of them are aimed at defending the Iranian soil and interests as well as maintaining security in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian minister also advised the US new Secretary of State John Kerry to think and act wisely. Vahidi further said Iran has witnessed no reasonable actions made by the US officials in the past. What we have seen from the past US officials was their unquestioning support for the Zionist regime or dictators who have been the US allies and all have been toppled, noted the minister. He then expressed hope that the American officials would take lessons from their mistakes in the past and move towards serving both global and national interests./end