Commander Underlines Navy’s Full Security Protection for Iranian Vessels in High Seas

(FNA)- Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari underlined his forces' all-out preparedness and power to continue providing a safe and secure passage for the country's trade vessels and oil tankers in the high seas.

"Establishment of naval prowess is the duty of the Armed Forces and all maritime bodies and organizations should rest assured that we will powerfully maintain the security of the (high) seas (for them)," Admiral Sayyari said, addressing the opening ceremony of Iran's 16th Naval Industries Conference in Bandar Abbas port, Southern Iran, on Tuesday.

He reiterated that presence and deployment of naval troops in the seas will boost the country's capabilities and power and result in a change in global geopolitical equations.

On Friday, Admiral Sayyari underlined his forces' might and readiness to give a crushing response to any kind of aggression by the country's enemies.

"The Iranian Navy is ready to give crushing response to any type of threat," Admiral Sayyari said.

He reiterated that the Iranian Navy guarantees Iran's interests in the national and international water, and said, "The Navy's 32nd Fleet is now conducting anti-piracy patrols in the high seas."

Admiral Sayyari noted that the Iranian Navy has a plan to expand its operational zone in the Northern Indian Ocean beyond the 10-degree latitude.

Last month, Iranian Parliament Speaker Ali Larijani lauded the might and power of the country's naval forces, and said the Iranian Navy's presence in the international waters is aimed at establishment of peace and security.

Larijani made the remarks after visiting the Iranian Navy's 32nd fleet of warships dispatched to the high seas which berthed in Djibouti port.

"The presence of the Islamic Republic Navy forces in the Gulf of Aden and the regional waters to fight piracy and facilitate maritime trade and trafficking has established security for us and the region and this is an honor for us," he said.

"Such actions show that Iran's policy is focused on (the restoration of) peace and tranquility in these regions and today all people have realized that Iran is a peace-seeking country which brings security to the region," he added.

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.