Commander Stresses IRGC’s Vast Operational Zone

Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari said that the IRGC has stretched its operational zone beyond the high seas.

Speaking during a visit to the IRGC’s missile and naval units at the strategic Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, Jafari pointed to the IRGC’s efforts to boost its defensive capacities in the region, and stated, “This huge defensive capacity has managed to expand its operational depth to the other side of free waters in line with the Islamic Republic’s national security and defense strategies.”

He described the IRGC as Iran’s defensive pillar in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, adding that the IRGC’s defensive structure in the region serves deterrence and guarantees free transit of energy in the Persian Gulf.

“The IRGC is the main pillar of security of energy supply in the Persian Gulf.”

In similar remarks last month, the Iranian Supreme Leader’s top military aide stressed Iran’s commitment to guarantee security in the Persian Gulf and oil flow through the strategic waterway, and said Tehran is using its several Persian Gulf islands to ensure that security.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran, as the superior power in the Persian Gulf, guarantees energy exports in this region,” senior Military Aide to the Supreme Leader of Islamic Revolution Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi told reporters in December.

The commander said that the conditions will be changed if Iran comes under security threat, although he rejected the possibility of an imminent military threat against Iran.

He said the Persian Gulf islands of Qeshm, Larak, Hormuz, Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb and the Lesser Tunb have gifted Iran with an upper-hand in the Strait of Hormuz, and noted, “The Islamic Republic of Iran is using the islands as defense and security bases for completing its line of defense, ensure durable security and commercial transportation and the enemies know well what this means in the field of defense and security.”

In November 4, the IRGC established a new Navy zone in a bid to boost defensive measures in waters surrounding Iran’s islands in the Persian Gulf.

The IRGC is in charge of safeguarding security in the Persian Gulf.

The IRGC’s fifth naval zone, namely Emam Mohammad Baqer (PBUH), was officially inaugurated in Iran’s Southern port city of Bandar Lengeh in Hormozgan province in a ceremony attended by Major General Mohammad Ali Jafari.

Iranian military commanders have always reiterated Tehran’s commitment to the security of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, and cautioned that foreign military presence will only undermine the security of the strategic waterway.

Iranian officials have repeatedly warned the trans-regional states, specially the US, to pull their troops and warships out of the Persian Gulf.

Iranian officials have also frequently underlined the necessity for the establishment of security in the Persian Gulf through extensive and all-out cooperation among the regional states.