A commander of Iran’s Navy says the country has taken great leaps in manufacturing invaluable equipment for its strategic naval forces, which has astounded the global powers.
Describing the naval forces as a determining factor in maritime power, Rear Admiral Amir Rastegari also said Wednesday, “Today, the presence of Iran’s Navy in the Gulf of Aden not only ensures the country’s security, but it has also turned into an auxiliary device helping the commercial fleet of trans-regional countries.”
He referred to the Iranian Navy’s achievements that have given it a cutting edge in the production of naval equipment and promotion of Iran’s presence on the high seas, noting that such advances will grant the country further clout as it is situated in one of the most strategic locations in the world.
Rear Admiral Amir Rastegari also made a reference to anti-Iran sanctions, saying the Iranian navy has proved the sanctions have failed to impact the country and that Iran has managed to turn them into opportunities.
Today, we can resist the radicalism of hegemonic powers and maintain our presence in different parts of the world if necessary, the Iranian commander pointed out.
Iran’s Navy has been boosting its naval presence in international waters since last year, deploying vessels to the Indian Ocean and dispatching two ships, in February 2011, via the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean Sea for the first time.
Furthermore, in line with international efforts to combat piracy, the Iranian Navy has been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008 to safeguard the vessels involved in maritime trade, especially the ships and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran.
The Gulf of Aden, which links the Indian Ocean with the Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea, is the quickest route for thousands of vessels traveling annually between Asia, Europe and the Americas.
Presstv
