Iran will give ‘harshest response’ to slightest threats, says top commander

A top Iranian army commander says the country has managed to reach such levels of power and dominance that it will not hesitate to give the “harshest response” to even the slightest threats.

“Wherever the interests of the Islamic [Republic] are in danger, we stand firm and defend our interests,” the Iranian army's deputy chief for coordination Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said on Saturday.

The veteran commander noted that faith and unity are among the key factors behind the Iranian nation’s victory over the nefarious designs of enemies, warning them of the “harshest response” should they dare make the slightest threat against the country.

Sayyari emphasized that safeguarding territorial integrity, playing an active role in the international arena, strengthening national security and deterrent power, and maintaining full readiness of the armed forces were among the achievements of the Islamic Revolution.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the admiral pointed to the presence of the Iranian Navy in international waters and said the country’s naval forces have succeeded in escorting and protecting almost 5,000 oil tankers and commercial ships since 2008.

Iran Navy to deploy forces to international waters of over 2,000k in depth: Commander

The commander of the Iranian Navy says his forces are set to be deployed to international waters of over 2,000 kilometers in depth.

The Iranian Navy, he said, has also thwarted numerous pirate attacks to secure the safe passage of the ships in Iran's territorial waters.

The advanced capabilities of Iran’s armed forces show the country’s great and exemplary power, he stressed, adding that the country's armed forces are “able to defend the interests of the Islamic Republic [even] at a distance of 2,500 km off Iran’s coasts.”

In line with international efforts against piracy, the Iranian Navy has been conducting patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008, safeguarding merchant containers and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran or other countries.

It has managed to foil several attacks on both Iranian and foreign tankers during its missions in international waters.

Iran Navy foils pirate attack, IRGC seizes vessel smuggling fuel

Iran

Currently, the 80th naval fleet of the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the Alborz destroyer and the Bushehr naval escort ship, are operating in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden to provide security for vessels including merchant ships and oil tankers.

Iran’s Navy said last week that its forces foiled a pirate attack against a merchant ship sailing in the Gulf of Aden.

The Iranian cargo ship had come under attack from unidentified pirates, who were later forced to flee following an exchange of fire with forces of the Navy's 80th fleet.

Iran has repeatedly assured other countries that its military poses no threat to them, insisting that its defense doctrine is entirely based on deterrence.

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