TEHRAN (FNA)- Iran is ready to stage joint naval exercises with the friendly and neighboring countries in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman, a senior commander announced on Wednesday.


"The Iranian navy declares its readiness to conduct drills with the friendly and brotherly (littoral) states from the East of the Strait of Hormuz to the Sea of Oman," Deputy Commander of the Navy for Operations Rear Admiral Shahram Irani told FNA.

His remarks came two days after Iran and Oman jointly exercised their latest technical and logistic capabilities in two days of relief and rescue drills.

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces for Operational Affairs Brigadier General Mostafa Salami announced on Tuesday that Tehran and Oman will conduct more military exercises in future.

He described the drills as successful, and said, "Based on a treaty between the Islamic Republic of Iran and Oman's navies, the joint marine relief and rescue exercises are held every year in one of the two countries and the next drills will be conducted next year in Iran's territorial waters in the Persian Gulf."

"Some negotiations have been held between the two countries on the development of the military drills and the Omani delegation has also agreed with the expansion of these exercises; therefore, the drills will be expanded gradually," Salami said.

He said that Iran and Oman's adjacency to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the region's need to sustainable stability and security and the threats posed to the ships sailing through this region highlight Iran and Oman's important roles in maintaining the security of this region.

During the maneuvers on Monday, the Iranian flotilla which took part in the exercises comprised of Alvand destroyer, Shamshir missile-launcher warship, Bushehr logistic vessel, AB212 helicopter carrier and Safir-3 tugboats.

The Navy's Relief and Rescue Flotilla, which berthed in Sultan Qabous Port last Friday, and Oman's relief and rescue ships began their fourth joint exercises in the Sea of Oman on Monday.

Lieutenant Commander of the Iranian Navy for Operations Admiral Siyavash Jarreh said, "In the first phase of the maneuvers, tactical drills including sea refueling, change of arrangements, escort of convoys, marine telecommunications, towing operations and anchoring have come under practice."

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 Republic has excelled in naval capabilities and is able to wage unique asymmetric warfare against larger naval forces.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 Republic has excelled in naval capabilities and is able to wage unique asymmetric warfare against larger naval forces.

According to the report, Iran's 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.

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

 

The Iran Project is not responsible for the content of quoted articles.