TEHRAN – Captain Ghader Vazifeh, deputy commander of the first naval district of the Islamic Republic of Iranian Navy, says the expansion of the Iranian Navy's activities into international waters marks a shift in regional security dynamics, eliminating the need for foreign naval presence in the area.

Speaking at a ceremony in Bandar Abbas port city to enhance relations between the naval forces of Iran and Pakistan, the captain stressed the growing presence of the Iranian Navy in territorial waters and beyond.

He expressed that regional security can be effectively maintained by the countries in the region, rendering foreign naval presence unnecessary.

Captain Vazifeh highlighted the vast opportunities for progress and national interest preservation offered by maritime activities. He emphasized that cooperation between countries is key to achieving maritime security.

“The Iranian Navy is open to collaborations in joint maritime exercises, training, and technical support with the Pakistani Navy,” he noted, emphasizing the high-level relations between the naval forces of Pakistan and Iran.

Addressing the ongoing conflict in Palestine as a significant threat to regional and global peace, the captain of the Pakistani Navy expressed concern for the plight of Palestinian people in Gaza. He stressed the urgency in ceasing the suffering of the innocent people in the Gaza Strip.

The Pakistani flotilla, comprising the Madadgar warship and Zhob maritime security vessel, docked at Bandar Abbas on Saturday with the aim of conveying the message of peace and friendship in its three-day visit to Iran.

The naval forces of the two countries are going to stage a joint combat exercise in the Persian Gulf waters near the Strait of Hormuz.

The naval forces of Iran and Pakistan have in recent years promoted cooperation and staged several joint drills in the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman.

MAS