TEHRAN (Tasnim) � Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari announced that his forces will stage 20 specialized military drills in the current Iranian year that started on March 20.

Speaking to reporters in Tehran on Tuesday, Rear Admiral Sayyari pointed to the Navy�s plans, saying that holding 20 specialized wargames is on the agenda of the Navy.

He added that the military drills, which include electronic warfare, missile tests, intelligence operations, deployment of submarines, and relief and rescue operations, will start in a few weeks.

The commander further pointed to the US government�s opposition to Iran�s plans for wargames in the Persian Gulf, saying that though enemies do not want the country to have military presence in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf, �we will continue our powerful presence in the two areas � and stage our wargames.�

In relevant remarks, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei on Monday hammered the US for its schemes against Iran�s military presence in the Persian Gulf and made it clear that the Islamic Republic will continue to demonstrate power at its home, the Persian Gulf.

�The Persian Gulf is the Iranian nation�s home ..., and the coasts of the Persian Gulf and large parts of the Sea of Oman coasts belong to this strong nation,� Imam Khamenei said, in an address to a gathering of teachers in Tehran.

Taking a swipe at the US Congress for plans against Iran�s naval drills, the Leader added, �Today, the enemies are biting off more than they can chew. For example, they draw plans that Iran should not hold military war games in the Persian Gulf.�

Imam Khamenei stressed that the great Iranian nation can respond to all those excessive demands, stressing, �We must be present in that region (the Persian Gulf), hold war games and demonstrate power.�

By Tasnim News Agency