TEHRAN – Iran’s army and navy commander said new equipment will be unveiled within the next few days and will join the army and navy fleet.
At a press conference ahead of Iranian Navy Day, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani stressed that the Iranian Navy must have the necessary equipment to continue operations in international waters.
“Therefore… in the coming days, ships will join[the naval fleet]which will help ensure economic security and the security of transoceanic routes,” the commander-in-chief explained.
“Today, we were able to instantly contact and exchange information with all naval security centers on the Indian Ocean Rim and deploy (our forces) to the region immediately if support was needed,” he added.
Last year, the Iranian Navy sent its 100th Fleet to the Gulf of Aden to strengthen maritime trade security in the region.
This measure is in response to the presence of pirates in the region and is aimed at ensuring the safety of both import and export routes, not only for Iran but also for the world.
In parallel with international efforts to combat piracy, the Iranian Navy has been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008 to protect vessels involved in maritime trade, including Iranian-owned or leased ships and oil tankers.
In recent years, the Iranian navy has increased its presence on the high seas to protect shipping lanes and ensure the safety of commercial ships and tankers.
The Iranian president referred to the reinstatement of UN sanctions under the snapback mechanism, insisting that the measures would not impede Iran’s maritime activities.
“Despite sanctions, Iranian ships continue to transit ports around the world,” he said.
He cited the case of Iran’s Flotilla 86, which was hit with sanctions during its Pacific voyage and was told it would not be allowed to transit the Panama Canal. Although the convoy had no plans to use the canal, Iran noted that it had successfully docked in foreign ports and received a positive reception from the host nation.
For the first time in the history of the Iranian Navy, Iran’s 86th Fleet, which includes the indigenous Dena destroyer and the Makran Forward Base Ship, completed its maiden circumnavigation mission and returned home on May 17, 2023.
The fleet successfully circumnavigated the world, crossing the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans, marking a historic feat for the Iranian Navy.
The flotilla departed from Bandar Abbas on September 20, 2022, and stopped at Salalah Port in Oman, completing its 236-day journey. Covering a total distance of 63,000 kilometers, the fleet crossed the equator four times during its remarkable expedition.
Dena is a Mouji-class destroyer that joined the Iranian Navy in June 2021. This warship is equipped with anti-ship cruise missiles, torpedoes, and naval guns.
Makran is a forward base ship weighing 121,000 tons. This warship can carry five helicopters and will be used to provide logistical support for combat warships.