Iran said Sunday its revolutionary guards (IRGC) were ready to escort the aid flotilla bound for the blockaded Gaza Strip, Mehr news agency reported.
The spiritual head of the guards, Ali Shirazi, told Mehr that the naval forces of the IRGC were fully prepared to escort the vessels to the salient, dpa reported.
Shirazi, who is the representative of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei at the IRGC, added that it was the duty of Iran to defend the suppressed and innocent people of Gaza.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said last week's deadly raid by Israeli commandos on the aid flotilla "was out of both weakness and madness".
He also predicted the collapse of Israel and warned the West over its continued support of the Jewish state.
Iran does not acknowledge the sovereignty of Israel and considers the country the root of all problems in the Middle East.