Speaking on sidelines of the 6th Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), Chief of General Staff of Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri said that they are already pursuing the issue of naval drills in order to further secure the Indian Ocean and the waters around it.
Bagheri added that coordination between the countries bordering by the Indian Ocean could bring more security to the region, stressing that the foreign forces should not be allowed to overcome the security of the region.
Also, Rear Admiral Sayyari said that the event indicated the power of Iran’s naval forces, adding that the Iranians are now operating in international waters including Indian ocean.
Sayyari added “the world has now accepted Iranian naval forces’ status as an international force as the Iranians have proved themselves to the world.”
In response to a question whether countries bordering by Indian Ocean would also hold naval drills, Deputy Coordinator of the Iranian Army said “in this [Tehran] conference, the necessary actions to increase cooperation and coordination as well as fighting against terrorism, especially in the Indian Ocean, will be decided on, though no decision will be made on naval drills.”
Sayyari reminded a search and rescue naval drill was held in Bangladesh.
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