TEHRAN (Kayhan Intl.) – The chief of staff of the Iranian Army says joint naval drills among Iran, China and Russia can boost regional convergence and are indicative of the trio’s determination to ensure security in the region without the help of any foreign powers.
Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari made the comments in a press conference on Saturday on the second day of the joint military exercises among the three countries in the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman.
"This is while some [countries] want to say that there is a problem with regional security and there is need for their presence. This maneuver shows that there is no need for the illegitimate presence of foreigners in this region,” he said.
He stressed that Iran has carried out remarkable measures to boost regional security over the past years, noting that the country has managed to play a leading role in curbing insecurity and combating piracy through reliance on its destroyers, missile-launching warships and logistic vessels.
He said the Islamic Republic’s Navy provides security not only for Iranian vessels but also those of other countries, adding, "We have succeeded in showing our maritime power to the world and this is the reason powerful countries such as China and Russia are coming to our region’s waters to hold military drills.”
Iran, Russia and China on Friday started four days of joint maritime exercise, dubbed as the "Marine Security Belt,” in an area of 17,000 square kilometers which consist of "various tactical exercises,” such as target practicing and rescuing ships from assault and incidents such as fires.
The naval drills, the first of their kind, aim to secure international trade routes in strategic waterways and boost preparedness among participants against piracy and marine terrorism.
The three countries have sent some of their most advanced vessels to take part in the exercises.
Sayyari also warned foreign countries that any craft used for spying on the ongoing joint naval exercise will be targeted.
Rear Admiral Sayyari did not rule out the possibility of military espionage against the joint naval drills.
"Many countries are definitely seeking to know what the matter is. Spies have also taken action,” Sayyari told Tasnim.
"A joint war game is no joke, and this is no joking matter for us either,” he added.
"We will hit whatever spying craft in the war game zone, be it watercraft or aircraft, as we have proved having such a capability in the past,” the commander underlined.
Some information about the war game is publicized, but the classified information would not be accessible to anybody, Sayyari added.
Elsewhere in the presser, Sayyari said saving damaged ships and using common tactics and enhanced international relations are among important goals of the exercise.
Definitely, this would not be the last naval drills among the three countries, he added, and noted that the trio would adopt a strategy to hold more exercises in the future.
"This maneuver is just a joint measure and we have no intention to form a coalition. Although the Americans were trying to pretend that there is insecurity in the region in order to form a coalition, Iran’s
message in this maneuver and other maneuvers is that security of the Strait of Hormuz has been ensured in the best way and that their coalition in this region makes no sense,” the Iranian Army commander pointed out.
On Thursday, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian announced that Beijing’s Xining guided-missile destroyer would take part in the drills. Three Russian vessels are also taking part in the drills, according to reports.
The war game comes amid U.S. efforts to woo countries into a maritime coalition for patrols in the Persian Gulf, which have received lukewarm welcome from its allies.
On Wednesday, Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, the spokesman for Iranian Armed Forces, said the event is meant to promote the security of international trade in the strategic regions, adding that sharing experience in maritime rescue operations was also to be pursued in the maneuvers.
The war game comes amid U.S. efforts to woo countries into a maritime coalition for patrols in the Persian Gulf, which have received lukewarm welcome from its allies.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says his country’s ongoing joint naval drills with Russia and China in the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman show its "broader commitment to secure vital waterways”.
"Iran has long stated its readiness to work w/our neighbors to secure Persian Gulf. #HOPE-Hormuz Peace Endeavour-is on table right now. Our joint military drills in Oman Sea/Indian Ocean w/ our Russian & Chinese partners make clear our broader commitment to secure vital waterways,” Zarif tweeted late Friday.
His tweet came on the same day that Iran, Russia and China started four days of joint maritime exercise, dubbed "Marine Security Belt”, in an area of 17,000 square kilometers which consist of "various tactical exercises”, such as target practicing and rescuing ships from assault and incidents such as fires.
The United States has been trying to persuade its allies into a coalition with the purported aim of providing security for merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and other strategic Middle Eastern shipping lanes.
Washington claims Tehran played a role in two separate attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman in May and June, without providing any credible evidence to support the accusations, which Iran has categorically dismissed.
The U.S. has sent troops and missile systems to Saudi Arabia following escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf.
Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari made the comments in a press conference on Saturday on the second day of the joint military exercises among the three countries in the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman.
"This is while some [countries] want to say that there is a problem with regional security and there is need for their presence. This maneuver shows that there is no need for the illegitimate presence of foreigners in this region,” he said.
He stressed that Iran has carried out remarkable measures to boost regional security over the past years, noting that the country has managed to play a leading role in curbing insecurity and combating piracy through reliance on its destroyers, missile-launching warships and logistic vessels.
He said the Islamic Republic’s Navy provides security not only for Iranian vessels but also those of other countries, adding, "We have succeeded in showing our maritime power to the world and this is the reason powerful countries such as China and Russia are coming to our region’s waters to hold military drills.”
Iran, Russia and China on Friday started four days of joint maritime exercise, dubbed as the "Marine Security Belt,” in an area of 17,000 square kilometers which consist of "various tactical exercises,” such as target practicing and rescuing ships from assault and incidents such as fires.
The naval drills, the first of their kind, aim to secure international trade routes in strategic waterways and boost preparedness among participants against piracy and marine terrorism.
The three countries have sent some of their most advanced vessels to take part in the exercises.
Sayyari also warned foreign countries that any craft used for spying on the ongoing joint naval exercise will be targeted.
Rear Admiral Sayyari did not rule out the possibility of military espionage against the joint naval drills.
"Many countries are definitely seeking to know what the matter is. Spies have also taken action,” Sayyari told Tasnim.
"A joint war game is no joke, and this is no joking matter for us either,” he added.
"We will hit whatever spying craft in the war game zone, be it watercraft or aircraft, as we have proved having such a capability in the past,” the commander underlined.
Some information about the war game is publicized, but the classified information would not be accessible to anybody, Sayyari added.
Elsewhere in the presser, Sayyari said saving damaged ships and using common tactics and enhanced international relations are among important goals of the exercise.
Definitely, this would not be the last naval drills among the three countries, he added, and noted that the trio would adopt a strategy to hold more exercises in the future.
"This maneuver is just a joint measure and we have no intention to form a coalition. Although the Americans were trying to pretend that there is insecurity in the region in order to form a coalition, Iran’s
message in this maneuver and other maneuvers is that security of the Strait of Hormuz has been ensured in the best way and that their coalition in this region makes no sense,” the Iranian Army commander pointed out.
On Thursday, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Wu Qian announced that Beijing’s Xining guided-missile destroyer would take part in the drills. Three Russian vessels are also taking part in the drills, according to reports.
The war game comes amid U.S. efforts to woo countries into a maritime coalition for patrols in the Persian Gulf, which have received lukewarm welcome from its allies.
On Wednesday, Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi, the spokesman for Iranian Armed Forces, said the event is meant to promote the security of international trade in the strategic regions, adding that sharing experience in maritime rescue operations was also to be pursued in the maneuvers.
The war game comes amid U.S. efforts to woo countries into a maritime coalition for patrols in the Persian Gulf, which have received lukewarm welcome from its allies.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif says his country’s ongoing joint naval drills with Russia and China in the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman show its "broader commitment to secure vital waterways”.
"Iran has long stated its readiness to work w/our neighbors to secure Persian Gulf. #HOPE-Hormuz Peace Endeavour-is on table right now. Our joint military drills in Oman Sea/Indian Ocean w/ our Russian & Chinese partners make clear our broader commitment to secure vital waterways,” Zarif tweeted late Friday.
His tweet came on the same day that Iran, Russia and China started four days of joint maritime exercise, dubbed "Marine Security Belt”, in an area of 17,000 square kilometers which consist of "various tactical exercises”, such as target practicing and rescuing ships from assault and incidents such as fires.
The United States has been trying to persuade its allies into a coalition with the purported aim of providing security for merchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and other strategic Middle Eastern shipping lanes.
Washington claims Tehran played a role in two separate attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman in May and June, without providing any credible evidence to support the accusations, which Iran has categorically dismissed.
The U.S. has sent troops and missile systems to Saudi Arabia following escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf.
No comments:
Post a Comment