Iran to hold maritime military drills

Baku, Azerbaijan, Jan. 26

By Umid Niayesh - Trend:

Iran's Navy will hold a military drill in Oman Sea and India Ocean on Jan. 27, Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said.

The drill dubbed "Velayat 94", the range of which will cover some three million km square area in free waters, will be held in an area within the Strait of Hormuz and the northern part of the Indian Ocean, Sayyari said, Iran's Tasnim news agency reported Jan. 26.

Sayyari further said that Iranian Navy prevented the foreign military fleets to enter the secured area, where the Islamic Republic is set to hold the naval drills.

He also said that during the drills, Iran will test various missiles. Various units including a variety of submarines, missile boats will take part in the drill

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.

The Iranian navy managed to foil several attacks on both Iranian and foreign tankers during its missions in international waters.