TEHRAN – The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy chief said Saturday that Persian Gulf countries are showing willingness to hold joint military exercises with Tehran, but foreign powers seek pretexts to sell arms and maintain an “illegitimate presence” in the region. Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri told a ceremony in Bushehr that the Persian Gulf, covering 250,000 square kilometers, can be secured by regional states themselves. “We believe countries in the region are capable of maintaining security of this strategic waterway without the presence of foreign powers,” he said, praising the role of Iran’s armed forces and the sacrifice of martyrs in protecting the Strait of Hormuz.