Azernews.Az

By Sara Rajabova

A member of the Iranian parliament has reaffirmed the defensive nature of Iran's military maneuvers, calling on regional states to take advantage of Iran's defensive potential and capability.

"These maneuvers are aimed to convey the message of peace and friendship and the need for the establishment of regional security by the regional countries," Ahmad Shohani, a member of the parliamentary national security and foreign policy committee, said on Monday, Press TV reported.

Shohani noted that in addition to showing its might to regional countries, Iran should also prove its readiness to protect regional security.

He emphasized that if regional states took part in Iran's military exercises, their results could be much better.

Shohani added that despite the West's propaganda, Iran has never attacked any country and has always defended its own territory.

He said the Western countries pursue propaganda against Iran's maneuvers to spread fear and concern among regional states, pointing out that Iran is not a threat to regional countries but will always stand by them.

Over the past few years, Iran has held several military drills to enhance the defense capabilities of its armed forces and to test modern military tactics and equipment.

On March 21, the 24th fleet of Iran Navy docked at the Port of Colombo in Sri Lanka after patrolling Southeast Asia's Strait of Malacca and successfully conducting its mission in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

Commander of the 24th fleet of Iran Navy, Capitan Seyyed Omid Golestaneh said the fleet, comprising Sabalan destroyer and Kharg helicopter carrier, has conveyed the message of peace and friendship to regional countries, Eastern and Southeast Asian states in particular.

The fleet docked at China's Zhangjiagang port on March 4 after sailing 13,000 kilometers in 40 days.

In recent years, Iran's Navy has been increasing its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for Iranian merchant vessels and tankers.

In addition, in line with the international efforts to combat piracy, the Iranian Navy has been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008 to safeguard the vessels involved in maritime trade, especially the ships and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran.

Also, earlier in March Iran successfully test-fired "Naziat-10" and "Fajr-5" missiles during military exercises which are taking place in Iran's Kashan region.

Besides, recently Iran launched the locally manufactured Jamaran-2 destroyer in the Caspian Sea. Jamaran-2, a Mowj-class warship, has been designed and built by Iranian experts and has state-of-the-art navigation equipment and complex defense systems.

In past years, Iran has reportedly made great achievements in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing essential military equipment and systems.

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