The Iranian Navy, being equipped with surface, subsurface and flight units, has become a maritime power in the Persian Gulf and North Indian Ocean, Rear Admiral Irani stated on Tuesday.

Iran's naval forces are capable of deploying advanced equipment and weapons in order to ensure maritime security and stability in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic Ocean, the senior commander stressed.

He said that the presence of Iran's flotillas in international water is on the agenda of the Iranian Navy. 

Irani also noted that the Iranian Navy seeks to increase joint drills with other countries, adding that his country will host the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) maritime exercise.

The remarks came weeks after the Iranian Navy’s 86th flotilla, comprised of Dena and Makran ships, finished its historic world voyaging mission after eight months and sailing 65,000km.

For the first time in Iran’s naval history, the 86th flotilla, comprised of Dena and Makran warships, undertook a long voyage around the world and sailed in the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans without relying on aid from shores. Dena is a Mowj-class warship that joined the Iranian Navy in June 2021. The military vessel is equipped with anti-ship cruise missiles, torpedoes and naval cannons. The other vessel of the flotilla is Makran, a forward base ship weighing 121,000 tons.

Tehran has repeatedly assured other countries that its military might poses no threat to them, insisting that its defense doctrine is entirely based on deterrence.

In recent years, Iran’s Navy has increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers. In line with international efforts against piracy, the Iranian Navy has been conducting patrols in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, safeguarding merchant containers and oil ships owned or leased by Iran or other countries.

The naval forces have in recent years managed to thwart several pirate attacks on both Iranian and foreign oil tankers and trade vessels

The Iranian naval forces succeeded in escorting more than 10,000 commercial ships to ensure their safe passage during the eight years of the Sacred Defense (1980-88). And over the past 12 years, the forces have thwarted hundreds of pirate attacks.

In August, Rear Admiral Irani said that the country's Naval Forces are fully prepared to conduct operations at any point in oceans across the globe, and added that his forces are scheduled to conduct a special mission.

He told Fars News Agency the exact date of the mission depends on planning by the headquarters but it is definitely going to happen this year.

The Iranian commander noted that given that the Navy must have a presence in all world oceans, it plans to make a number of ships that will serve as a floating naval base.

He stated that manufacturing such ships is a must and they will hopefully be produced.

"The Navy unveils new hardware on different occasions such as the 10-day Dawn that marks the victory of the Islamic Revolution and a ship that is going to be unveiled is a base ship like Makran," Iran stated.

Back in June, Read Admiral Irani underlined his forces’ preparedness to deploy in waters across the world to defend Iran’s interests.

"Iranian Army Navy forces are present in any ocean if needed," he stressed in a ceremony to commemorate the World Maritime Day.

He pointed to the direct and indirect escort of cargo ships by the country’s naval destroyers, and stated that Iran’s Naval forces are present in Indian Ocean to establish peace and security.

"The Navy forces of the country are prepared to confront any external threat powerfully," Rear Admiral Irani emphasized.

He reiterated that Iranians are in favor of peace and do not want war unless enemies of the country want to threaten the country’s security.

"If enemies threaten security of the country, Iranian Navy forces will respond to their malicious acts harshly," Rear Admiral Irani warned.

The Navy official stated in late February that the trans-regional states are not able to bring security and peace to the people of the region, and stressed that his forces will strongly stand up against enemies and give a rigid response to any threat and wrong move against the country's territorial waters.

"Our interests and resources in the sea are very vast, and wherever we feel threatened, our fleet is present. Due to the authority and presence of the Iranian navy in the seas and oceans and continuous monitoring, no country has dared approach the country's territorial waters," the comander underscored.