Commander: Iran Ready to Stage Joint Naval Drills with Neighbors

A senior Iranian Navy commander praised the country’s forces for their recent naval wargames in international waters in the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean, and announced Iran’s readiness to stage joint naval drills with the neighboring states.

“Iran is ready to hold joint naval exercises with the neighboring countries including Oman; Iran’s navy invites the Omani Royal Navy to visit Iranian ports including Bandar Abbas; Tehran is ready for expansion of relations with Muscat in various fields including the defense filed,” Commander of the Iranian Navy Rear Admiral Emir Habibollah Sayyari said on Wednesday in a meeting with Omani Royal Navy Commander Rear Admiral Abdullah bin-Khamis bin-Abdullah al-Raisi.

Peace-seeking naval patrol of Iranian naval ships would continue in international waters, he underlined.

“Iranian naval ships have peaceful purposes and carry the message of peace and security for regional countries,” Sayyari added.

Iranian navy commander noted that the naval ships will leave the Saudi port city of Jeddah to Omani Salalah Port in March.

Iran’s naval forces staged massive wargames in international waters in the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean in December.

The naval maneuvers dubbed Velayat 90 cover an area stretching from the East of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Aden for 10 days.

During the wargames, the Iranian naval forces displayed their latest equipment, achievement and tactics.