Navy Commander: No Regional Decision Possible without Iran

Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari underlined Iran’s significant role and power in the region, and said no regional decision can be made without considering Tehran’s important role.

Sayyari said on Friday that Iran’s role in the world is so important that no regional decision making is possible without Iran.

He also said that the Islamic Republic of Iran’s military doctrine is defensive in nature.

Sayyari said Iran’s military power is based on its people’s decision therefore its strong presence over free seas has drawn attention of all.

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.