U.S. Vessel Chased Out of Waters

IRGC Launches Drills in Persian Gulf

Date: 24 January 2025 - 22:17

News ID: ۱۳۶۱۹۴

TEHRAN -- The naval forces of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) on Friday launched extensive exercises spanning the southern Iranian provinces of Bushehr and Khuzestan.
Codenamed “Great Prophet Authority 19”, the drills went underway across the northern and central part of the strategic Persian Gulf waters in the Strait of Hormuz, with the IRGC Navy’s commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri in attendance.
The aim of the exercises, he said, is to “convey the message of peace and friendship” to neighboring countries and establish security in international waterways.
“Another message of the drills for extra-regional countries to know that their presence in the region disrupts security and they cannot establish lasting security in this sensitive area,” Tangsiri said.
“We are capable of ensuring the security of the sensitive Persian Gulf region alongside our neighboring countries and will stand firm against any threat,” he said.
“The hostile countries and enemies of the noble Iranian nation should know that we will stand up to their bullying with strength and courage, and we will foil their sinister plans with a strong fist,” he added.
Tangsirir said new technologies would be unveiled during the drills.
“Every year, new vessels and technologies are incorporated into the exercise, and this year, we are deploying vessels that are capable of sailing at speeds of 75 and 90 knots (nautical miles) as well as firing missiles and mines.”
A notice from the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said Friday a warning had been out to seafarers in the Persian Gulf on Friday.
“It is assessed that these are most likely part of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps’ large-scale exercise, Great Prophet XVIII,” UKMTO said.
Earlier, the UKMTO reported an incident involving a vessel which was approached by

a small military craft flashing a green laser.

The Red Sea and Gulf of Aden Joint Maritime Information Center said it had investigated and found there was a possible connection between the incident reported by UKMTO and the Great Prophet 19 exercise.

Other reports said the vessel was U.S.-flagged Liberty Power in the Persian Gulf near Iranian waters which “chased” out of the region.

Iran has been engaged in an extraordinary two-month-long military exercise across the country.

According to IRGC spokesman Ali Muhammad Naini, the number of drills has almost doubled this year compared to last year, in response to the evolving threat landscape.

“These exercises are significantly larger in scope and sophistication, featuring new weaponry and expanded participation of brigades engaged in realistic operations,” he said earlier this month.