Iran Navy to exercise shooting marine surface targets in day 3 of drills

On the third day of Iran’s extensive drills in the region surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, the Navy’s artilleries will exercise shooting marine surface targets of aggressive forces, a senior Iranian commander says.

Rear Admiral Amir Rastegari, spokesman for the ongoing Velayat 91 naval drills, said that Iranian commandoes, riflemen and special operational forces will exercise engaging aggressive forces on Sunday.

The special operational forces and the floating units division will also exercise overcoming aggressive vessels using helicopters, he said.

The Iranian commander also stated that divers will attack and destroy units of aggressive forces during the Sunday exercises.

Rastegari said Sunday would be the last day of the tactical phase of the military exercises.

Iran’s Navy launched six-day naval maneuvers on December 28 in order to display the country’s capabilities to defend its maritime borders and maintain durable peace in the region.

The exercises cover a vast area including the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman, the north of the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden and Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.

On Saturday, Iran’s Navy exercised cyber defense drills for the first time. Iranian defense units also fought back and countered an assault by mock enemy, intruding the country’s territorial waters and shores.

Over the past few years, Iran has held several military drills to enhance the defensive capabilities of its armed forces and to test modern military tactics and equipment.

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly assured other nations, especially neighbors, that its military might poses no threat to other countries, insisting that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence.