Gen. Baqeri:

Foreign Naval Forces Down to Minimum in Persian Gulf

Date: 04 December 2022 - 22:05

News ID: ۱۰۹۷۶۷

TEHRAN – Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Muhammad Hussein Baqeri said Sunday the Persian Gulf region enjoys complete safety, adding the presence of foreign naval forces in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz has diminished remarkably with the Iranian military units projecting power across the region.
During a visit to an airbase in Iran’s southern port city of Bushehr, Gen. Baqeri stated that the presence of large fleets of extra-regional forces in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz has been reduced to a minimum compared to the past.
This proves that security prevails in the region with the Iranian armed forces acting mightily, he said.
Gen. Baqeri said the Islamic Republic of Iran is in charge of the security of a major part of the Persian Gulf and is powerfully ensuring the security of its northern half.
The general said the Iranian naval and aerial patrol units are present in the Persian Gulf around the clock and are protecting the security of trade vessels and fishing boats as well as oil, gas and petrochemical facilities.
“Under the ensured security in the Persian Gulf, we are witnessing the daily activities of people and coastal residents in the highly strategic province of Bushehr in the field of maritime trade and fishing, as well as activities in the field of oil and gas.”
He also declared the full readiness and high capability of the military and law enforcement units, including the Army, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), and the defense ministry to protect the country’s borders.
The Iranian military and political officials have on numerous occasions said Iran will never compromise on defending the country’s interests and resources, warning that the security of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz is a “red line.”
They have said the security of the Persian Gulf region should be established by regional countries, adding that there is no need for the

presence of foreign forces in the international waterway.

Iranian officials have also described the occupying regime of Israel’s destabilizing activities as the main source of insecurity in the region, warning regional countries about the perils of allowing Tel Aviv to establish a foothold in the region.

In April 2020, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei highlighted the key role that Iran plays in maintaining security in the Persian Gulf, saying the presence of foreigners jeopardizes any initiative that could benefit regional people.

Iranian officials maintain that the security of the Persian Gulf region comes within the purview of the regional countries alone, dismissing the U.S. claim of seeking security in the region.