Iranian Navy’s 49th flotilla of warships, comprised of Sablan destroyer and Bandar Abbas logistic-combat warship, participating at The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium Multilateral Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise-2017 (IMMSAREX-17) berthed at Bangladeshi Port of Chittagong on Saturday after the drill was over.
The Search and Rescue (SAR) exercise was participated by ships, naval chiefs, and maritime experts from 32 countries, including 23 member countries and nine observers from the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).
The Iranian squadron sailed more than 3,800 nautical miles to reach the South Asian country.
“Our participation at the world’s biggest SAR drill and our continuous presence on the high seas of the world demonstrate the might and strength of our dear country,” asserted Captain Reza Ghorbani, in charge of the flotilla.
“It shows our country’s greatness that despite all unjust sanctions we have kept our effective presence on waters in place and have effectively contributed on the international stage,” highlighted the commander.
The highest authority on board of the Iranian Navy’s 49th flotilla referred to the opening of the exercise and the address delivered by Bangladeshi president who praised Iranian Navy’s effective contribution to the security and stability of maritime routes of the world.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran attaches a great deal of importance to relations with Muslim country of Bangladesh,” Captain Ghorbani highlighted recounting the reason why the Iranian group of warships attended at the event. He voiced hope for enhancement of relations between Iran and Bangladesh.
Also the Bangladeshi Navy official at the port of Port of Chittagong thanked the Iranian squadron for participating at the drill. “We believe that Iran is a big country and we consider Iran as a powerful country and hence we are willing to have reciprocal and continuous ties with Iran,” the Bangladeshi commander said.
Concurrent with flotilla 49th leaving Iranian waters for Bangladeshi waters, Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi said, “The arrogant powers are pursuing their colonialist influence in other countries when they give relief services, but Iran's approach in helping other countries are humanitarian and based on religious teachings.”
An Iranian high-level delegation, headed by Second Flotilla Admiral Bahram Askarian is in Bangladesh. The delegation is representing Iran at Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), presenting agenda for IONS 2018 that will be hosted by Iran.
In recent years, Iran’s naval forces have increased their presence in high seas to secure naval routes and protect merchant vessels and oil tankers against pirates.
In line with international efforts to combat piracy, the Iranian Navy has also been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden to safeguard the vessels involved in maritime trade, especially the ships and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran.
YNG/IRN82749603
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