Naval commander says fleet is to patrol the Mediterranean sea in an attempt to defend against "threats to Islamic Republic."
By JPOST.COM STAFFIranian warships 311 Reuters(photo credit: REUTERS)
Iran is planning to send its 24th fleet, comprised of a submarine and a warship, to the Mediterranean sea, the Red Sea, and the Suez Canal, Iranian naval commander Adm. Habibollah Sayyari said on Thursday.Sayyari is quoted by the semi-official news agency Press TV as saying that, “The Navy’s 24th fleet of warships will patrol the Red Sea, Suez Canal and the Mediterranean Sea for three months.”Sayyari stated that the purpose of the Iranian deployment is to patrol the high seas and display the great capabilities of the Islamic Republic, commenting that the ships will “counter any threat against the interests of the Islamic Republic.”The Iranian naval commander said that Iran’s presence in the Red Sea would tighten security for all countries.”We announce that we are able to provide security in the region with the help of all neighboring countries,” he said.Ships are to also patrol “the north of the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden, Bab-el- Mandeb...and even as far as southeastern Asian countries,” Press TV reported.Click here for full Jpost coverage of the Iranian threat
