Navy chief: Iran to stage two joint naval drills in Sea of Oman soon

A high-ranking Iranian military commander says the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy plans to hold two joint naval exercises with foreign military forces in the northern tip of the Indian Ocean within the next few months.

Navy chief Rear Admiral Shahram Irani told reporters at a press briefing in the capital Tehran on Friday that the Iranian naval forces will stage a naval rescue and relief exercise with the Sultanate of Oman, noting that other countries have been also invited to participate in the drill.

The commander added that another exercise, known as Marine Security Belt naval war game, will be held later on.

While the 2023 Marine Security Belt naval war game took in naval forces of Iran, China and Russia, this year’s edition will involve more states including main participants and observers from various continents, Irani stated, adding that the exercise will cover the northern flanks of the Indian Ocean.

Last year’s maritime drills kicked off on March 15, and ran through March 19. The war game was meant to deepen practical cooperation among the navies of participating countries.

The maritime exercise reportedly involved forces from the marine and airborne units of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy, and flotillas from China and Russia.

Iranian naval forces, together with their Chinese and Russian counterparts, have held several joint war games in recent years with the purpose of improving the security of international maritime trade, countering piracy and maritime terrorism, exchange of information in naval rescue and relief operations, and exchange of operational and tactical experiences.

Iran Navy to take delivery of new homegrown destroyer

Elsewhere in his remarks on Friday, Irani highlighted that the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy will soon take delivery of a new domestically-designed and manufactured destroyer, dubbed Deylaman.

The commander also described the Caspian Sea as a body of water for promotion of peace and friendship.

He stressed that Deylaman destroyer will chiefly guarantee maritime security in the Caspian Sea, adding that the unique conditions of the water body require vessels that can withstand a constant presence.

The homegrown destroyer will also help elevate the training skills of Iranian cadets, as all Iranian naval training centers are located in the northern part of the country, Irani pointed out.

The commander also stated that Deylaman is the most sophisticated destroyer in Jamaran class, and is furnished with much more advanced and elaborate systems compared to the previously unveiled homegrown military vessels.

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.