Official: Iran Monitoring US, Britain, Israel’s Moves in Int’l Waters

Head of the Navy’s Research and Self-Sufficiency Jihad Office General Ali Gholamzadeh underlined that the Iranian naval forces deployed in the high seas are monitoring every move and logistical back up of the US, British and Israeli navies.

“Since our Navy is present in the international waters, it is aware of the latest equipment of these countries physically and visually, and in some cases we monitor and study all the information completely to know the level of their latest changes of equipment and technology,” Gholamzadeh told FNA on Sunday.

“As they monitor all of our drills, we are also tasked with the same responsibility,” he added.

Iran’s naval power has even been acknowledged by foes. In a Sep. 11, 2008 report, the Washington Institute for the Near East Policy said that in the two decades since the Iraqi imposed war on Iran, the Islamic Republic has excelled in naval capabilities and is able to wage unique asymmetric warfare against larger naval forces.

According to the report, Iran’s Navy has been transformed into a highly motivated, well-equipped, and well-financed force and is effectively in control of the world’s oil lifeline, the Strait of Hormuz.

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.

The Iranian Navy’s 32 Fleet is now conducting anti-piracy patrols in the high seas and Gulf of Aden.

In late July, the Iranian Navy dispatched its 31st flotilla to the Gulf of Aden and the high seas to protect the country’s cargo ships and oil tankers against pirates.

On August 24, the 31st Fleet of the Iranian Navy, comprised of Bayandor destroyer and Bandar Abbas logistic warship, docked at Djibouti port with the message of peace and friendship after sailing 2,200 nautical miles in free waters.

The fleet of warships had escorted 670 military and cargo ships and identified and traced trans-regional vessels and aircraft by then.