Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari says Iranian naval forces are keeping a watchful eye on all moves by foreign military units whether at sea or onshore.
Sayyari made the remarks on Monday in a ceremony held to welcome the 41st fleet of the Iranian Navy upon its homecoming and see off the country's 42nd flotilla to high seas to safeguard maritime routes used by Iranian vessels operating in international waters.
He added that the Iranian naval forces are prepared to counter any threat anywhere in regional waters.
“We know the enemy very well and are monitoring and controlling all its moves,” he said, adding that the Iranian naval forces are closely scrutinizing all the movements of extra-regional countries.
Sayyari said Iran’s Navy dispatches flotillas to high seas to convey the message of peace and friendship to other countries, counter efforts to spread Iranophobia, display the country’s might, safeguard maritime routes and monitor all moves by regional and extra-regional countries in the north of the Indian Ocean, particularly the Gulf of Aden and Bab-el-Mandab.
The 41st flotilla, consisting of Lavan logistic warship and Alborz destroyer, arrived in the country’s southern coasts on Monday after sailing over 5,130 miles in 48 days.
During its presence in high seas, the fleet managed to escort 46 Iranian merchant ships and oil tankers.
In recent years, Iran’s Navy has increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.
In line with international efforts against piracy, the Iranian Navy has been also conducting patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008 in order to safeguard merchant ships and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran or other countries.
Iran’s Navy has managed to foil several attacks on both Iranian and foreign vessels during its missions in international waters.