TEHRAN - The commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri says the force will soon unveil a new homegrown helicopter carrier named after top anti-terror commander Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, who was assassinated by the Pentagon more than two years ago.
“We now manufacture our own frigates. Shahid (Martyr) Soleimani helicopter carrier is also expected to join the IRGC naval fleet in the near future. We indigenously build various types of high-speed boats that cruise at speeds of 70 to 90 nautical knots,” Rear Admiral Tangsiri said at a ceremony in Tehran.
He pointed to the IRGC’s seizure of two Greek oil tankers in the Persian Gulf on May 27, saying the move was fully supported by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.
The seizure came days after an Iranian oil tanker was captured by Greece in its territorial waters.
“Earlier, the Greeks had taken our tanker to the shores of their country and emptied its oil, and a Greek court had the audacity to rule in favor of its seizure,” he said.
Tangsiri also said that IRGC naval forces are in full control of the entrance and exit points of the Strait of Hormuz and closely monitor the movement of all vessels cruising throughout the waterway.

Iranian Navy Forces Ready for Deployment Across Globe
Iranian Army’s Navy Commander Read Admiral Shahram Irani has underlined his forces’ preparedness to deploy in waters across the world to defend Iran’s interests.
Iranian Army Navy forces are present in any ocean if needed, Rear Admiral Irani said in a ceremony to commemorate the World Maritime Day.
He pointed to the direct and indirect escort of cargo ships by the country’s naval destroyers, and stated that Iran’s Naval forces are present in Indian Ocean to establish peace and security.
The Navy forces of the country are prepared to confront any external threat powerfully, Rear Admiral Irani emphasized.
He reiterated that Iranians are in favor of peace and do not want war unless enemies of the country want to threaten the country’s security.
If enemies threaten security of the country, Iranian Navy forces will respond to their malicious acts harshly, Rear Admiral Irani warned.
The Navy commander had also earlier this month said that his forces are at the highest level of preparedness to defend the country against any type of threat or aggression.
Today, the Iranian Army’s Navy Force