In an address to a group of Navy commanders and personnel on Sunday, Ayatollah Khamenei, who is the Commander-in-Chief of Iran’s Armed Forces, said “Since the victory of the Islamic Revolution [in 1979], the Iranian Navy has made much progress.”
The Leader added that the Iranian Navy is important because of its scientific advances and operational value.
“Because of the policies in the region and certain existing threats it (the Navy) enjoys special political and military position [in the region],” Ayatollah Khamenei said.
“The main goal of the Navy should be creating and organizing a military force befitting the Iranian nation and the ideals of the Islamic establishment,” noted the Leader.
In recent years, Iran Navy has been increasing its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.
The Islamic Republic has repeatedly asserted that its overseas naval presence is meant to convey a message of peace and friendship to regional countries.
In line with international efforts to combat piracy, the Iranian Navy has been also 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.
Via: http://www.presstv.ir/
