TEHRAN – The Commander-in-Chief of Islamic Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) says Iran is currently building missile boats that can reach speeds of 116 knots (215 km/h), marking a new milestone in the country’s naval capabilities.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by IRGC Navy Commander Admiral Alireza Tangsiri at a ceremony commemorating National Persian Gulf Day.
Tangsiri noted that the speedboat was praised as a testament to the increased self-sufficiency in Iran’s military technology and successfully tested all technical and operational tests. “We built this high-speed missile boat ourselves. It’s fast, at altitude and fully operational,” he said.
National Gulf Day of the Persian Gulf, observed annually in Ordibehesht 10 in the Persian calendar (April 30), marks the historic expulsion of Portuguese forces from the Strait of Hormuz in 1622. Tangusiri highlights Iran’s maritime progress since the Islamic Revolution in 1979, in contrast to pre-religious dependence with foreign contractors.
“Before the revolution, we were unable to even build a fishing boat. Now we have built the Shahid Soleimani Warship with cutting-edge technology that can sail 5,000 nautical miles across the ocean,” he said.
Adjacent north to Iran and adjacent to the Indian Ocean via the Oman Sea and the Indian Ocean Straits, the Persian Gulf is one of the most important energy and trade corridors in the world. Lieutenant General Tangsiri highlighted the strategic and economic weight of the region, noting that more than 60% of the region’s oil and more than 40% of gas exports pass through these bodies of waters.
He also argued that the Iranian side of the Persian Gulf contains the deepest coast and the most efficient maritime routes, reaffirming the role of Tehran’s region in ensuring this important passage.
“We will maintain daily security in the Strait of Hormuz and ensure that more than 80 ships can safely pass through these bodies of waters. That’s a responsibility we take seriously,” he said.
Repeating years of messages on Iran’s regional cooperation, Tangsiri called for peace and brotherhood in his neighbouring countries, warning against the existence of foreign troops.
“Anxiety in the Strait of Hormuz has global consequences, especially for the economy. Foreign powers will not come here for peace. Their goal is to entrench their illegitimate presence and promote the sale of arms,” he said. “There’s no doubt about it. Those who travel thousands of miles to be here aren’t trying to protect the area. We are.”