TEHRAN — The commander of Iran’s navy said Sunday that a recent joint Iran-Russia-China naval exercise in the north of the Indian Ocean proved regional countries were capable of offering peace and tranquility to their own people.
“This maneuver has sent and exhorted a regional message, particularly to friendly countries and the Resistance Axis [regional countries] that … we can create security and create peace and tranquility in the region because of our own inner abilities [our] People,” Admiral Shahram Irani said, according to Press TV.
Referring to certain threats and actions by some regional countries, the commander said: “This [joint] Exercise reminded the regional countries and sworn enemies of that [Islamic] Revolution that the unipolar world has been dismantled on a global scale.”
Admiral Irani added that the exercise “also proved that countries that act independently within the international system and are concerned about ensuring security can work together to present a new model in which they will be able to.” to ensure safety at sea, which in turn will lead to the strengthening of world peace.”
Iran, Russia and China held joint military drills in the north of the Indian Ocean last week, during which ships from the three countries hit pre-determined targets at sea.
“Together for Peace and Security” was the theme of the exercise, which covered an area of 17,000 square kilometers and involved naval units from the Iranian Army and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), as well as Russian and Chinese naval forces.
“Iran is on the main avenue of connectivity and plays an important role in securing the Oman Sea and the Persian Gulf.”
Elsewhere in his remarks, Irani emphasized that one of the key features of the joint maneuver was that Iran, Russia and China brought three distinct military styles to the exercise that were not similar in terms of performance and equipment, and that each country did not benefited from its own special military hardware.
The trio managed to achieve their objectives in the exercise, he added, while warning of the enemy’s constant efforts to paint an uncertain picture of the region in order to further its own interests.
He added that the enemies are making good use of the powerful media to achieve their objective and “unfortunately, some regional countries are being duped by them and are following due to the weakness of their government structures”.
“If those [regional] States paid due attention to the potential and capacity of regional countries, rather than catching up with supra-regional actors and countries [that have come to the region] from afar, then the enemy would be deprived of their last excuse to be present in the region,” the Iranian commander said.
MP says joint exercise sends message to westerners
Moeinoddin Saeedi, the representative of the people of Chabahar in parliament, also said on Sunday that the joint naval exercise was a message to the western powers.
The MP explained that Iran has reached a level of naval power that, along with major naval powers, could be the focus and command of the exercises, saying that national security in today’s world is tied to military capabilities and Iran, while tensions would be de-escalated with other regional countries, insists on strengthening its military components.
The Chabahar MP noted that strengthening the navy is important to increase the country’s military capability. “Iran is on the main avenue of connectivity and plays an important role in securing the Oman Sea and the Persian Gulf.”
He further said that joint naval cooperation will increase Iran’s military power.
In addition to considering Iran’s extensive interactions with Russia and China, the lawmaker said the government should also take care to safeguard the country’s national interests.
Saeedi added, “Holding a joint exercise by Iran, Russia and China sends a message to Western countries that their hegemony in the region has been reduced and that the countries and nations of the region are looking for new ways to ensure their continued security.” .”
“Cooperation between Iran, China and Russia can lead to the authority of Asian countries and tip the balance of power in their favor in the face of US aggression,” the lawmaker noted.
He added the exercise proves that all three countries have achieved a significant level of military ties.
“The efforts of Iran, China and Russia are a joint effort to achieve sustainable maritime security in this region and preserve vital waterways to ensure the interests of the three countries,” Saeedi stressed.
The exercise, codenamed “2022 Marine Security Belt,” was the third of its kind between the three countries.
“This joint exercise proves that countries in the region can create security in the region through constructive cooperation,” he said.
The MP further explained that Iran’s principled policy is that the countries of the region do not need a foreign country to ensure their security and can ensure their security by relying on domestic power.
The Chabahar official also reminded Western countries that Iran has never gone to war in its history.
Saeedi mentioned that Iran has made good progress in the defense industry in recent years, and its participation in international coalitions shows Iran’s growing position on the global stage.
