Navy Commander: Iran Able to Maintain Regional Security without Trans-Regional Powers’ Presence

Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari underlined that the Iranian Armed Forces are fully ready to maintain security of the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormouz without any need to the presence of the trans-regional forces.

“We have repeatedly said that the Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran can control the Strait of Hormuz, and establish security in the strait, the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman,” Rear Admiral Sayyari said on Thursday.

The Iranian Navy commander reiterated that Iran’s continuing efforts for improving its naval capability are meant to boost security in the region.

“We seek security in the region and view it as one of our principal matters; and improving our capability in the naval field is for establishing security,” he added.

In recent years, Iran has made great achievements in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing essential military equipment and systems, but it has repeatedly stressed that it military progress and achievements are only aimed at deterrent purposes.

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.

According to UN Security Council resolutions, different countries can send their warships to the Gulf of Aden and coastal waters of Somalia against the pirates and even with prior notice to Somali government enter the territorial waters of that country in pursuit of Somali sea pirates.

The Gulf of Aden – which links the Indian Ocean with the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea – is an important energy corridor, particularly because Persian Gulf oil is shipped to the West via the Suez Canal.