We Must Have an Active Presence on the International Stage

TEHRAN (Defapress) Admiral Shahram Irani, Commander of the Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army, stated on Tuesday morning in a press conference held at the IRIN Headquarters to commemorate the November 28, Navy Day, and to explain the programs of this force: "I am honored, as a soldier of the homeland and the guardianship [of the Jurist], to congratulate the arrival of November 28, the anniversary of the epics and bravery of my dear comrades in the Army Navy, to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, the dear people, and the respected families of Iran's Army Navy."

Admiral Irani added: "The Supreme Commander-in-Chief has referred to and interpreted November 28 as the day of sacrifice for the Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army. This very beautiful term is in appreciation of the crimson-clad martyrs and the dear ones, some of whom became and remain immortalized as golden pages of this country in the deep blue waters of the Persian Gulf."

Referring to the prominent role of Iran's Army Navy during the eight years of the Sacred Defense, he recalled: "Our comrades, in the very early days of the imposed war, by carrying out complex operations, achieved the first major victory on November 28. The great and pride-inspiring 'Morvarid' operation not only prevented the Ba'athist enemy from achieving its goals but also managed to preserve and sustain the country's economic lifeline."

The Commander of the Army Navy emphasized: "After the Sacred Defense, within the framework of extraterritorial operations, [the Navy] has been responsible for escorting over 10,000 vessels in international waters, and it has successfully and authoritatively carried out this mission to this day in the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and even the world's oceans."

Referring to the mission area of the Army Navy, Admiral Irani stated: "In the southern fleet, the mission area is east of the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman, and the heart of the oceans, and in the northern fleet, it is the Caspian Sea."

Referring to the issuance of the nine marine-oriented development policies by the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, he said: "In the area of maritime security, especially regarding security in the depths of the oceans and the development of the strategic and beautiful coasts of Makran, we have always been active, around the clock, and will continue to be so."

The Commander of the Army Navy stated: "To carry out our valuable missions, we must have an active presence on the international stage, and this presence requires high knowledge, modern equipment, and awareness of all ocean conditions."

Admiral Irani further announced the widespread presence of Iran's Army Navy fleet in international arenas and security and diplomatic missions, adding: "Today, hundreds of vessels in ocean areas are being escorted and their commercial cargoes are being moved with complete security."

Referring to participation in regional meetings, he stated: "In the meetings of commanders from the Indian Ocean and Caspian Sea regions, utilizing existing capacities, we are present as a model in the field of security and multifaceted interactions, and so far, more than 103 naval groups have been dispatched to the seas."

The IRIN Commander announced the dispatch of two naval groups of the Army to two international events in the east and south of the African continent, stressing: "These naval groups will, God willing, properly carry out their defined missions in the fields of security and defense diplomacy. Our belief is to ensure global security, assist in humanitarian events, and interact with respected countries."

Admiral Irani, referring to future needs, said: "To sustain operations in the depths of the oceans, we need suitable equipment, and by the blessing of the blood of the martyrs, new vessels will soon be added so that we can best carry out the mission of ensuring economic security and shipping lines and have an effective presence in international events."

Appreciating domestic capacities in defense industries, universities, and knowledge-based companies, he stated: "We have utilized all these capacities and are proud that, focusing on the country's youth, the equipment is being used optimally."

The IRIN Commander, referring to the cooperation of this force in the international arena, emphasized: "We have real-time communication and information exchange with all maritime security centers along the Indian Ocean, and we are ready to help if needed. All our efforts are aimed at ensuring security and safety in ocean areas. I thank God for giving us this opportunity to be dignified, good representatives for our people."

Admiral Irani, in response to a question about the current situation and defensive capability of the Navy, stated: "Today, Iran's Army Navy is in good condition. Two naval groups are currently present in ocean areas, and two other naval groups are being prepared for dispatch to the oceans."

Stating that IRIN naval groups are present in very distant seas, including in the South African region, which is the connection point of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, he said: "This region is very perilous from an oceanic perspective. Alongside this, we are also responsible for providing security, and today, hundreds of vessels under Iran's Navy escort are sailing safely in the oceans. This means preserving the economic artery and the movement of goods."

The Commander of the Army Navy then addressed the most important actions and programs of this force in the past year, listing "defense diplomacy, holding combined exercises both in the southern fleet (in the Indian Ocean) and in the northern fleet, all of which have been held as bilateral and multilateral combined exercises" among these actions.

Admiral Irani added: "My comrades had a significant presence in scientific events in other countries and also held scientific conferences in Iran. We also held naval military competitions where we had a successful presence and achieved first and second places in international naval military competitions; also, in line with strengthening ties with industry and university, we had stronger communication with knowledge-based companies, universities, and industrialists to utilize domestic capacities, and we are using all these capacities properly."

In response to a question about the impact of European sanctions and the activation of the "snapback mechanism" on the missions of this force, he said: "The reality on the ground is that today the sanctions are reversed. By sanctioning Iran, the enemies have, in fact, sanctioned themselves. The world is very large, and there are many countries; therefore, despite the enemy's propaganda, Iranian ships with the Iranian flag today travel to ports around the world and are moving cargo, the majority of which is in the humanitarian field."

The IRIN Commander, referring to the presence of naval groups in ports of other countries, emphasized: "Even when Naval Group 86 was officially sanctioned in the Pacific Ocean, and passage through the Panama Canal was prohibited for it, this naval group proudly entered the ports of other countries and presented the Iranian-Islamic culture. Ultimately, it was announced that if requirements were met, the fleet of the Islamic Republic of Iran could pass through the Panama Canal."

Admiral Irani, regarding IRIN's future plans to move towards the South Pole, also said: "We thank God that the valuable experiences of Naval Group 86 are available to us, and in terms of human resources and equipment, the necessary capacity exists. Today, Antarctica is a place for the presence of scientists, and the Navy will have the role of supporting and transporting scientists. Certainly, there will be no military presence intended, and we have no intention for a military presence either."

In response to a question about the unveiling of new equipment, he stated: "We certainly have an unveiling program, and it will be carried out, God willing, in the coming days. Our presence at sea must be continuous and stable. By God's grace, equipment in various fields has been prepared, and you will witness their addition in the near future."