Navy Chief Says Iran, Arab Neighbors Have Common Interests
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iran believes regional security must be established through cooperation among countries within the region and that the presence trans-regional forces in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman leads to tension and disorder, commander of the Iranian Navy said.
Iran has briefed the Arab littoral states of the Persian Gulf on common interests with them, and underlined that regional security must be established through cooperation among the regional countries, Sayyari said in an interview with al-Alam Arabic language news network on Monday.
“We are certain that we can establish security through collective efforts and the commonalities existing among us,” Sayyari commented.
Voicing Iran’s objection to foreign interference in regional security provision, Sayyari said that the presence of the US and other trans-regional forces in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman creates chaos and disorder in the region.
“The Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman and the northern part of the Indian Ocean along with all their interests and resources only belong to the regional countries,” he stressed.
“The presence of an alien force in the region leads to disarray, and can be regarded as a threat to all regional countries,” Sayyari said.
Referring to Iran’s naval exercises, the senior military officer said that one of their objectives is carrying the message of peace and friendship to regional countries.
He further noted that that fortification of Iranian naval forces is only aimed at protection of Iran’s interests - a right that every country in the world is entitled to.
Sayyari said that Iran does not allow vessels of the trans-regional forces to trespassed on its territorial waters.
The Iranian Navy chief also warned every possible antagonist force that the Iranian Armed Forces are fully prepared to repel any possible foreign threat.
In recent years, Iran’s Navy has been increasing its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.
Since November 2008, the Iranian navy has conducted anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden and Bab el-Mendeb strait to protect the country's cargo ships and oil tankers against pirates.
Under the terms of several UN Security Council resolutions, nations can deploy warships to the Gulf of Aden and coastal waters of Somalia to protect their merchantmen against the pirates and, after giving notice to Somali government, enter Somali territorial in pursuit of pirates.
