TEHRAN – The Navy commander says Iran plans to deploy naval vessels in the Atlantic Ocean near maritime borders of the United States. 

“As the global arrogance (forces of imperialism) have a (military) presence near our sea borders, we also plan to have a strong presence near the U.S. sea borders with the help of the soldiers who are loyal to the vali-e faqih (supreme jurisprudent),” Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said on Tuesday. 

The top commander added the presence of Iranian naval units in the Bab el-Mandeb, the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Suez Canal is a great honor for the Iranian nation and other Islamic countries.

However Iran’s naval operations will not be limited to these bodies of water and “we should have a strong presence in all open seas,” he insisted. 

Also on Monday the commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy signaled a possible presence of Iran’s naval vessels near the U.S. waters. 

Commenting on the proposal for the establishment of a direct military hotline between the U.S. and Iran, Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi said, “When we go to the Gulf of Mexico, we will establish direct communication with them. In the view of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the illegitimate presence of the U.S. in the Persian Gulf makes no sense.”