Iranian Navy Deputy Commander Rear Admiral Seyed Mahmoud Mousavi announced launch of the joint naval exercise between the two countries saying “Army's Navy fleet, after mooring at Muscat port of holding coordination sessions with the Omani Navy, was deployed to predefined locations in northern parts of the Indian Ocean in order to carry out a joint rescue operation.”
The commander said the first stage of the joint rescue operation replica covered several tactical exercises including make-up change maneuvers, escort of commercial and oil tankers, refueling at sea, communication exchanges which were successfully carried out; “the main stage of the drill revolved around training for specialized rescue operation including rapid reaction against unexpected offshore accidents, floating vessel rescue and saving injured crew.”
Rear Admiral Mousavi said given the proximity of Islamic Republic of Iran and the Sultanate of Oman to the strategic Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman as well as responsibility of both countries to carry out rescue operations and assistance to merchant ships and oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a joint rescue operation replica of held every year in order to align efforts and properly exploit capabilities of Iranian and Omani naval forces in the Sea of Oman and northern Indian Ocean.
“The naval drill also aims at strengthening friendly and constructive relations between Iran and Oman in all dimensions, maritime sector in particular,” underscored Iran’s Navy deputy commander asserting “the exercise takes place annually and alternatively in Iran and Oman and the present edition was hosted by the Sultanate of Oman.”
Iranian Army Navy’s fleet comprising Sabalan destroyer, logistics and helicopter-career ship Lavan, D3SH type helicopter, and missile-launcher Falakhan destroyer with a personnel of 1000 people set off for Oman on Sunday with plans to jointly hold a marine rescue operation replica with Omani Navy.
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