28 Mar 2024
Wednesday 1 March 2017 - 10:14
Story Code : 253095

What prompted Iran to carry out large-scale naval drills in the Indian Ocean

Sputnik- Iran is conducting the large-scale Velayat 95 naval drills which kicked off on February 13 and will continue until March 1 with its final stage due in the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean's northern area.



The Velayat 95 drills sees Iran testing various naval units, submarines, missile-launching destroyers, missile and electronic warfare systems, aswell asdrones and fighter jets, according tolocal media.Earlier this week, Iran's newest coast-to-sea cruise missile, Nasir, was test-fired aspart ofthe Velayat 95 war games.

In an interview with Sputnik Persian, Mosib Naimi, Iranian political analyst and head ofIranian newspaper Al-Vafagh, specifically focused onwhy Tehran decided tostage its large-scale naval drills inthe Indian Ocean.
The main objective ofVelayat 95 is "to help provide the highest level ofthe Iranian military's combat readiness inorder toprotect Iranian territory fromany potential external threat," according toNaimi.


Also, he referred toTehran's concern overa number ofGulf States' push forcreating an anti-Iranian military coalition, something that Naimi said is supported bythe West.
He added that byholding the Velayat 95 drills, Iran is sending a message ofpeace, friendship and regional security guarantees toother countries.


Separately, Naimi cited pirates who are still inplace inthe Red Sea and the Strait ofOman, where merchant shipping is underserious threat.
"A significant number ofIranian merchant ships were damaged bypirates operating there. It is a pretext forIran todevelop an appropriate strategy toensure security inthese dangerous waters. Besides, it is worth mentioning that there are major oil transportation routes inthis area; if these waters are unsafe, the economic security ofthe entire region will come underthreat," he said.


Naimi stressed that "all Iran's military activity inthe Gulf ofOman, the Persian Gulf and basins adjacent tothe Indian Ocean is aimed solely atensuring security, especially inour country."
"In addition, it can also be seen asa friendly message ofIran's drive tomaintain regional security toneighboring countries," he pointed out.


Touching uponspeculation regarding the creation ofan anti-Iranian coalition consisting ofArab countries, Naimi slammed it as "nothing butinformation propaganda aimed atintimidation."
"This scenario is unlikely tohappen because the opening ofa military front will be tothe detriment ofall the countries inthe region and beyondwhich will be involved a bloody game. No one is interested init," he said.


Naimi added that "everyone knows perfectly well that the Gulf's security is ofstrategic importance tothe whole world," and that even though there is no cause forconcern abouthostilities, "information warfare has been infull swing forseveral years."


"Fortunately, these efforts bythe United States and its Arab allies have so far failed," he wrapped up.

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