Iran stresses on sustainable security as new destroyer joins naval fleet

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri made the announcement as he attended the ceremony of the joining of a new domestically-designed and manufactured destroyer, dubbed Deylaman, to the country’s northern naval fleet to strengthen security in the Caspian Sea.

The ceremony was held in the northern Iranian port city of Bandar Anzali on Monday.

He said the Iranian Navy play a leading role in increasing the country’s sustainable deterrent power in the face of the enemies.

Baqeri added that the Dillman destroyer sends a message of peace and friendship to all the neighbors of the Islamic Republic, in particular the Caspian Sea countries.

He noted that, “The Caspian Sea is a sea of peace and friendship, and that Iran enjoys amicable all-out military relations with all the Caspian Sea littoral states, so the Navy has once again stressed on the message of friendship by building this destroyer, which is a great masterpiece in the history of the Navy.”

Chief Commander of the Army Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi, Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani and a number of top military officials were also present in the ceremony.

Deylaman is the fifth Mowj class destroyer in Jamaran class which is equipped with various types of domestically-manufactured defense systems and equipment.

It has the capability to navigate for a long time, search, discover, identify, monitor and confront and, if necessary, repel any air, surface and subsurface threats. Deylaman is also capable of carrying helicopters on its deck.

Elsewhere in his address, Baqeri hailed high capabilities of Iran’s Navy, saying the manufacturing of Deylaman destroyer under Western sanctions is a matter of hope and honor.

He added that the Iranian Armed Forces have been under sanctions imposed by the United States and its arrogant allies over the past 45 years.

He emphasized that the most severe sanctions have been imposed on Iran in recent years, however, the manufacturing of such a destroyer by Iranian scientists and artisans raised hope of the country’s development and progress.

The general noted that Iran would enjoy more sustainable security in its northern parts and enhanced cooperation with the armies in the region following the joining of the destroyer.

In addition to state-of-the-art equipment, Baqeri said faithful, smart and committed workforce play a leading role in defending the country.

Addressing the ceremony, the Iranian Navy chief said the Deylaman destroyer is a symbol of power of the Army’s Navy and the Armed Forces, stressing the importance of ensuring maritime security in the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea.

“Enemies always seek to infiltrate into the Islamic Republic through the sea but the navy of the army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Caspian Sea will not allow the enemies to do this,” Irani added.

He stressed the need to update Navy’s equipment and manufacture various types of vessels and said the Deylaman destroyer has the ability to host special forces, riflemen and infantry with the purpose of dealing with challenges.

Such a capability can create endurable security in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Caspian Sea, Irani pointed out.

Iran’s Navy has in recent years achieved self-sufficiency in manufacturing surface and sub-surface vessels. It has also increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.