TEHRAN – Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said Tuesday Iran is now capable of manufacturing advanced vessels domestically, thanks to the expertise of its local specialists. 

Speaking at a signing ceremony for marine equipment production at the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, Tangsiri said Iran relied on the U.S. for maritime construction before the 1979 Islamic Revolution but it is now building vessels from aluminum.  The IRGC Navy’s Shahid Mahalati Institute, he said, has built 17 vessels which are ready to be added to the country’s naval fleet.