‘Islamic Iran in complete control of Persian Gulf’

Iran’s Defense Minister says the Iranian Navy has complete control over the Persian Gulf, and all foreign forces crossing the waterway must answer to the country’s military.

“We said earlier that foreign forces must leave the region as soon as possible and if this is on the agenda of foreign forces there will be no tensions,” Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi said on Wednesday.

In response to a question about the US proposal for establishing a hotline with Iran’s Navy, Vahidi said there is no need for such a line because foreign military forces must answer Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf, Mehr News Agency reported.

Earlier in September some Western media outlets reported that the US wanted a direct military hotline to prevent possible confrontation between the forces of the two countries.

With regards to plans to equipping the country’s naval forces with Qader marine cruise missile, Vahidi said the missile has special capabilities including the ability to target frigates, warships as well as coastal facilities.

In recent years, Iran has made great achievements in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing essential military equipment and systems.

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

The Iranian defense minister said the country has plans to deploy forces to international waters, as “all states can be present in free waters.”

This comes as Iran plans to dispatch its 16th fleet of warships to the Gulf of Aden as part of efforts to provide security for Iranian vessels and oil tankers in the piracy-infested area.