TEHRAN – Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi has said that Iran plans to strengthen its naval forces to enable them to maintain security of open seas in cooperation with regional countries.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran, based on (its military) doctrine which envisages improving security of open seas, will take measures to strengthen its naval forces so that they can indigenize the maintenance of security (of open seas) with the help of regional countries,” Vahidi told the Fars New Agency on Monday.
He also said that the message of Iranian naval forces to regional countries is that there is no need for the presence of foreign forces to maintain regional security.
Vahidi’s remarks came on the heel of Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei’s visit to the Persian Gulf port city of Bandar Abbas where he meet with Navy commanders and personnel based in the city and inspected naval facilities and warships.
During his visit to Bandar Abbas, the Leader said all countries have the right to send ships on missions in the open seas, emphasizing that the Iranian Navy’s strong presence in the open seas is a source of hope and inspiration for the world’s nations.
“This presence has intimidated the enemy and has put it in a quandary since the strong presence of Iranian naval units in the open seas is inspiring and heartening for nations,” the Leader stated.