Iran holds “Velayat-e 94” naval drills
Iran's naval forces have staged a “massive” drill, dubbed
“Velayat 94”, near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, Tasnim news
agency reported.
Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari launched the
drills. Iranian navy deployed its marines, missiles and torpedoes
in the drills area.
Earlier ,
Sayyari was quoted as saying that the range of the drills are
will cover some three million km square area in free waters, and
will be held in an area within the Strait of Hormuz and the
northern part of the Indian Ocean.
The drill is aimed at demonstrating the capabilities and power of
the Iran Navy in terms of safeguarding security, Sayyari said.
He said that the northern part of the Indian Ocean has great
importance for Iran due to transit of goods through the area.
In recent years, Iran's navy has been increasing its presence in
international waters to protect maritime routes and provide
security for merchant vessels and tankers.
In line with international efforts to combat piracy, the Iranian
navy has also 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.
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