TEHRAN (FNA)- The Islamic Republic of Iran is trying to turn its Southern waters into a defense shield to protect the country against any possible enemy aggression, Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Army's naval force Rear Admiral Gholam Reza Khadem Biqam announced on Wednesday.Today the presence of the Islamic Republic of Irans Navy in the region and Makran coast and the Sea of Oman is highly important for the country and the region, Khadem Biqamsaid.
Referring to the importance of the Southern waters and the Persian Gulf region for Iran, he said, We are making our utmost efforts to turn the Southern waters into a defense shield for the Islamic Republic by increasing the Navys combat and operational power.
Khadem Biqam also underlined the special position of the Iranian Navy in the region and the world and the importance of its deployment in the international waters.
Iran's naval power has even been acknowledged by foes. In a Sep. 11, 2008 report, the Washington Institute for the Near East Policy said that in the two decades since the Iraqi imposed war on Iran, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has excelled in naval capabilities and is able to wage unique asymmetric warfare against larger naval forces.
According to the report, the IRGC Navy has been transformed into a highly motivated, well-equipped, and well-financed force and is effectively in control of the world's oil lifeline, the Strait of Hormuz, and the Persian Gulf.
The study says that if Washington takes military action against the Islamic Republic, the scale of Iran's response would likely be proportional to the scale of the damage inflicted on Iranian assets.
By Fars News Agency
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