Iranian Navy in intl. waters conveys message of friendship

Iran celebrates Navy Day on November 28, commemorating the anniversary of Operation Morvarid held by Iran on November 28-29, 1980 during the Iran-Iraq War. During the operation, the biggest Iraqi oil terminal was destroyed, paralyzing more than 50 percent of the combat power of the Iraqi Navy, while the Iranian fleet suffered minor losses.

On the same day in 2022, a group of commanders and officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Naval Forces met with the Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Armed Forces Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

During the meeting, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution emphasized the necessity of improving the Iran Navy's combat power and defense equipment and continuation of measures such as sailing in international waters.

Strengthening the relationship between the armed forces, the government, and other organs will lead to increased cooperation and progress, the Leader noted.

Elsewhere in his guidelines, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed that seizing the opportunities and capacities of the seas should become a general culture in the country.

On November 27, Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi said, "The presence of the navy is very reassuring not only for the security of the borders but also for the presence in the oceans and the support of economic and commercial activities in international waterways."

Stating that the expansion of economic activities and commercial development is possible with the presence of the naval forces of the army, he added, "Despite the threats that exist today in international waters and different parts of the oceans, the presence of the navy is reassuring for economic operators."

On November 27, the chief of staff of Iran’s Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Hossein Bagheri pointed out that the Islamic Republic's defense and deterrence power, with the support of committed and expert human resources, and relying on God, has neutralized any threat and aggression against the land of Islamic Iran from its enemies.

He also said that the presence of the Iranian navy in international waters sends a message of friendship and peace and it is to scare off enemies.

On November 30, The Commander of the Iran Army Navy Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said that Iran’s Army Navy has focused on the development of maritime diplomacy and cooperation with the naval forces of neighboring and friendly countries, adding that the country’s Navy will spare no effort in boosting its cooperation with those countries.

Turning to the self-sufficiency movement taken in the Navy Force, he said that Iran’s Army Navy has achieved salient progress in designing and building advanced submarines, sophisticated destroyers, frigates, missile launchers, naval aircraft, marine diesels, drones, and all kinds of equipment.

Irani further pointed to the activities of the Navy Force on the international stage and reiterated that the Army Navy Force of the country has always concentrated on developing maritime diplomacy and boosting its cooperation with the naval forces of neighboring and friendly countries as a top priority.

On March 19, 2022, the 81st flotilla of the Iranian Navy comprised of the Alborz destroyer and a logistic ship left the Iranian Southern port city of Bandar Abbas for the high seas on a routine mission to maintain the Islamic Republic’s sway in international waters, not least the Gulf of Aden.

The mission aims to equally protect the Islamic Republic’s interests and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers in the region.

The Iranian naval forces succeeded in escorting 10,000 commercial ships to ensure their safe passage during the eight years of the Sacred Defense (1980-88). And over the past 12 years, the forces have thwarted numerous pirate attacks.

Iran has repeatedly assured other countries that its military might pose no threat to them, insisting that its defense doctrine is entirely based on deterrence.

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.