Envoy: Iran to Train Tanzanian Navy Officers

Iranian Ambassador to Darussalam Mehdi Aqajafari announced that Tehran has pick up to train Tanzanian navy officers.
Aqajafari’s remarks came after the Navy’s 30th Flotilla of warships dispatched to the high seas left Dar As-Salaam port after berthing in the Tanzanian coast. The Flotilla is comprised of Alvand destroyer and Bushehr logistics-combat vessel.

The envoy expressed pleasure in the positive trend of the expansion of the relations between Iran and Tanzania, and said the two countries’ military officials also agreed that Iran’s operational and training warships make regular visits to Tanzania.

According to Aqajafari, the Tanzanian military officials also called on Iran to share its experience with them to further strengthen the East African country’s navy.

Iran’s naval power has even been acknowledged by foes. In a Sep. 11, 2008 report, the Washington Institute for the Near East Policy said that in the two decades since the Iraqi imposed war on Iran, the Islamic Republic has excelled in naval capabilities and is able to wage unique asymmetric warfare against larger naval forces.

According to the report, Iran’s Navy has been transformed into a highly motivated, well-equipped, and well-financed force and is effectively in control of the world’s oil lifeline, the Strait of Hormuz.

The Iranian Navy has been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008, when Somali raiders hijacked the Iranian-chartered cargo ship, MV Delight, off the coast of Yemen.