IRI Navy able to extend presence to Atlantic Ocean

Commander of IRI's Army Major General Ataollah Salehi said the Iranian Navy has the capability of extending its presence to the Atlantic Ocean. Today, the strategic Navy has the capability to extend its presence to the Atlantic Ocean beyond the Gulf of Aden, the Mediterranean Sea, the Suez Canal, north of the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea, Salehi said on Monday. This shows the might of Iran and the complete preparedness of this force, he added. Commenting on the recent Velayat 90 naval drill, the Iranian commander said the military exercises were a turning point in the country’s show of might and security. On December 24, Iran's Navy launched the 10-day Velayat 90 naval exercise, covering an area stretching from the east of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Aden. Different classes of submarines, including Tareq and Qadir, as well as the newest ground-to-sea missile systems and torpedoes have been employed in the maneuvers. Over the past years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has made important breakthroughs in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in producing important military equipment and systems. The country has repeatedly clarified that its military might is merely based on the nation's defense doctrine of deterrence and poses no threat to other countries.