Iran Intl. naval presence conveys peace

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s Navy says its presence in the high seas and international waters is sending a message of peace and friendship to world countries.

Commander of Iran’s Navy Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said on Wednesday that the country’s naval presence in international waters “indicates the establishment’s authority and is a message of peace to other countries.”

Speaking on the occasion of the dispatch of the country’s 12th naval unit to the Gulf of Aden, the Iranian commander said, “Should our sailors establish relations on their way with countries in the Indian Ocean region … they can transfer the values of our establishment to other countries as Iran’s envoys.”

“With their presence, they show that Iran is not an isolated country and seeks to defend its interests in the region,” Mehr News Agency quoted Sayyari as saying.

The Iranian commander added that 153 naval academy students were participating in the mission at hand to receive training at sea from their superiors.

Earlier, Sayyari stressed the need for Iran’s further international naval presence, reminding that most military threats against the Islamic Republic are seaborne.