Speaking on Iran’s state TV IRIB 1 last night, Rear Admiral Khanzadi said the 6th Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) which was held in Tehran on Monday, was the biggest military conference held in Iran after the Islamic Revolution.

Khanzadi said that through this event, some of the naval commanders of the countries that had never been in our country came to Iran and that was one of the major political achievements of that event for Iran, irritating enemies such as the Zionist regime.

“The enemies know that such conferences could reduce the pressures on Iran,” Khanzadi pointed out, adding “the presence of representatives from five continents and 32 independent countries in Iran could neutralize the enemies’ attempts to isolate Iran.”

Khanzadi added that due to the importance of the IONS, the United States has applied to become an observing member while it has been denied so far.

Responding to a question regarding the differences between IRGC and naval forces of Iran Army, Commander Khanzadi said that IRGC and Navy are united forces to defend the country against the enemies.

Speaking at the 6th Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), which kicked off in Tehran this morning with participation of 35 high-ranking military delegations from across the world, Rear Admiral Sayyari said that the event indicated the power of Iran’s naval forces, adding that the Iranians are now operating in international waters including Indian ocean.

Sayyari added “the world has now accepted Iranian naval forces’ status as an international force as the Iranians have proved themselves to the world.”

In response to a question whether countries bordering by Indian Ocean would also hold naval drills, Deputy Coordinator of the Iranian Army said “in this [Tehran] conference, the necessary actions to increase cooperation and coordination as well as fighting against terrorism, especially in the Indian Ocean, will be decided on, though no decision will be made on naval drills.”

Sayyari reminded a search and rescue naval drill was held in Bangladesh.

Also in this regard on the sidelines of the same event, Chief of General Staff of Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Bagheri said that they are already pursuing the issue of naval drills in order to further secure the Indian Ocean and the waters around it.

Bagheri added that coordination between the countries bordering by the Indian Ocean could bring more security to the region, stressing that the foreign forces should not be allowed to overcome the security of the region.