In an interview with the website of the Strategic Council on Foreign Relations, Admiral Shahram Irani referred to the 2023 maritime security belt joint exercise, with the presence of the strategic navy of the army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran, the Russian navy and the Chinese navy, adding: The Strategic Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran has a permanent presence in the international arena due to its operational capabilities, and holding exercises is also a part of the defense diplomacy defined by Iran.

While explaining the importance of Iran’s political geography, he continued: Because we have the advantage of access, we always try to play our role in this area. Considering the political conditions of the region and the Supreme Commander-in-Chief’s order to establish sincerity and friendship with all countries, especially the region, and with the priority of neighboring, Muslim and brotherly countries as well as countries that respect mutual interests, we have tried to take measures in line with the implementation of this order.

The commander of the strategic navy of the army emphasized: Iran, by holding the exercise, has tried to show that it has an independent presence in the region, and besides this independent presence, it welcomes other countries to accompany us to ensure regional security together. This was our first goal; in line with that, we invited all the region’s nations.

Recalling that countries usually participate in the exercises as observers, and in the next exercise, they bring floating units into the scene, Admiral Irani explained: We also removed the restrictions on the presence of countries in the south of Iran. We invited countries north of Iran and the Caspian Sea region to participate in the exercise, and we witnessed the observer’s presence from Kazakhstan. In the next round, we can play host to forces from other countries who can receive training and join our units to observe the activities closely and gain experience.

While explaining the messages of Iran’s joint naval exercise, he noted: Iran, Russia, and China, by standing alongside each other, independently establish maritime security for the economic artery of the countries, put their ships under escort, and provide their security from place of origin to destination. The coming together of these independent countries emphasizes that we are not niggard in helping others, and we help them with our capabilities.

The commander of the strategic naval forces of the army, saying that today Iran has a high rank in the northern Indian Ocean and is considered a significant power, said: China and Russia have an essential position in the Pacific Ocean and Russia in the Atlantic Ocean; therefore, the three oceanic powers are standing next to each other in a situation where they emphasize that their priority is the security of the world community and the international economy.

Admiral Irani emphasized: that Iran’s effort has always been to play its humanitarian role in the international scene, as it has done throughout history, and despite conspiracies, sanctions, and threats, it has raised the flag of freedom derived from its religious and cultural teachings. Over time, we see this message and its essential role being received by other countries.

He stated: In a situation where we are witnessing shifts in the geometry of power, Iran plays a crucial role. The countries next to us are also leading role-playing capabilities worldwide. It is essential for the countries of the region that there is a country in their region that has been able to stand upright and be successful in such scenes despite all the pressures.

The commander of the strategic naval forces of the army stated that in the 2023 combined exercises, the destroyers “Jamaran” and “Sahand” were present as the two important defense achievements of Iran, and continued: The exercises will develop cooperation among the naval forces of the participating countries and also increase preparation for providing maritime security and safety jointly in line with establishing regional peace and stability. We hope that all countries in the region that are connected to the sea will use this capacity and join it.

Rear Amir Irani referred to the efforts being made for the participation of the countries of the region in the sea belt exercise and also the cooperation of the commanders of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) for the next year and said: We hope to be able to altogether remove from the region the forces that endanger its security; because they only care about their interests, and regional and global interests are not vital to them, and they have proven this in practice to the whole world. Today, the region’s countries have correctly realized how arrogance seeks to continue its one-sided role in an insulting and humiliating manner.

Emphasizing that nations should know that they can stand on their own feet, he said: Iran has always insisted on the necessity of regional cooperation and the expansion of political and economic relations with all countries in the region, and there is a good prospect for the participation of regional governments in naval exercises. We have received signs of the desire of the countries in the region and even friendly transregional countries to participate in these joint exercises.

The commander of the strategic navy of the army pointed to the statements of the American officials that they were monitoring the exercise so that it did not threaten the interests of the United States and its allies and stated: The US is trying to show itself as an ally and a friend of the countries in the region, but it is a burden on the shoulders of those countries. The region’s people have understood this, and the politicians gradually realize this issue. We have witnessed this issue regarding the behavior of the West towards the recent earthquakes in the region’s countries.

Reminding that the Resistance Front is being strengthened against arrogance daily, caused by the deep-rooted religious, Islamic, and Iranian thinking, Admiral Irani said: The strategies on Iran’s agenda today are precious, and the US efforts to recruit allies are customary. We also monitor the US and its movements. Our flying units and vessels have observed in these few days that what they announced remained only on paper or was limited to displaying the flag. They are also watching our movements, and what we say is being implemented with precision and high capability by relying on our internal power.