Sat May 14, 2011 9:18AM
Press TV IRAN
Commander of Iran's Navy Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari says the country's naval forces enjoy superlative power in the region over Iran's possession of state-of-the-art naval equipment.
“Iran ranks the highest in the region in terms of having advanced naval equipment, facilities and technologies,” Rear Admiral Sayyari told IRNA on Saturday.
The Iranian navy commander attached special importance to the upgrading and procurement of armored and naval equipment for the establishment of security at high seas and said, “To achieve security and maintain peace at high seas calls for certain equipment. Therefore we need to seek proper equipment in this regard.”
He made a reference to the country's naval defense capacities boosted by the domestically-built destroyer, Jamaran, and submarines as well as other missile-launching frigates, and noted that such breakthroughs bear witness to the Islamic Republic's military achievements to defend the country.
Last year, the Iranian navy launched the Jamaran destroyer with a displacement of around 1,420 tons, fitted with modern radars and other electronic warfare capabilities. Jamaran, a multi-mission destroyer, can carry 120-140 personnel on board and is armed with a variety of surface-to-air missiles.
Commenting on the issue of “piracy and maritime terrorism” in the high seas, Rear Admiral Sayyari pointed out that warships of the Iranian navy have effectively been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008.
He also cautioned Iranian vessels to operate within the security lines delineated by the Iranian navy and refrain from venturing into unchartered waters.
The Gulf of Aden, which links the Indian Ocean with the Red Sea, the Suez Canal, and the Mediterranean Sea, is the quickest route for more than 20,000 vessels traveling annually between Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
However, attacks by heavily armed Somali pirates on speedboats have compelled some of the world's largest shipping firms to switch routes from the Suez Canal and reroute cargo vessels around southern Africa, leading to a rise in shipping costs.
GHN/MGH/HRF
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Saturday, May 14th 2011 at 1:02PM
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