Sayyari: No Movements In Region Possible Out Of Iran’s Surveillance

Jask, Hormuzgan prov, Jan 1, IRNA – Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said there is no need for the presence of any ultra-regional countries to guarantee security in the region. Talking to IRNA on Tuesday, he said cooperation among regional countries would certainly enhance regional security. He said Iran has always asserted that it is capable of providing security in the strategic and sensitive region through cooperation with other regional states. The commander further said certain western countries were concerned over Iran's ongoing military drills since they could not stand the country’s scientific progress and the might of its armed forces. Those countries trying to maintain their illegal presence in the region, try to prove that Velayat-91 drills have negative consequences for the region, he added. According to Sayyari, the Jamaran warship is present in the drills as part of the Navy’s fleet for free and international waters. Noting that the zone which the drills covers extends to parts of the Indian Ocean, he stressed that ultra-regional forces are surveyed with better scrutiny during the drills. He said Iran has always stressed that there is no movement possible in the region out of the scope of surveillance of the Iranian navy forces. The rear admiral commented on the Navy’s technical and industrial power, saying that presently his forces are capable of doing all sensitive repairing on the most advanced equipment or even reconstruct and renovate them. Sayyari noted that the Iranian Navy has an active presence in the free seas. The Iranian Navy started the six-day naval exercises on December 28 (Friday). The drills cover international waters in the Gulf of Oman, Strait of Hormuz, North of the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden, and the Bab el Mandeb Strait. Iran’s long-range surface-to-air ‘Misaq’ missiles have successfully targeted hypothetical drones of enemies. In another development, the surface-to-surface shoulder-launched ‘Nasr’ missile hit and completely destroyed pre-planned targets. The Velayat-91 naval exercises are being held to demonstrate Iran's naval capabilities in defending the country's territorial waters. It also carries a message of peace for Iran’s neighboring states. The exercises also demonstrate Navy’s capabilities in dealing with electronic warfare. During the exercise, Navy’s 23rd fleet of warships comprising Jamaran destroyer and the Bushehr Helicopter carrier escort commercial ships and oil tankers against the piracy./end