General Stresses Iran’s Close Maritime Cooperation with Russia, China
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – A high-ranking Iranian general outlined a new strategy to bolster the country’s naval power and presence in international waters, calling for close maritime cooperation with China and Russia to counter the US.
In comments at the meeting of a council making policies for a national conference on maritime threats and opportunities, Major General Yahya Rahim Safavi said it would be impossible to define the position of Iran, the Islamic Revolution and the resistance front in the “geometry of the new world order” without strong presence in high seas and oceans.
“In order to counter the cruel sanctions imposed by the US and its allies, Iran must promote the strategy of sea-oriented economy and boost its maritime power with the presence of its trade and military fleet in the oceans and seas and by using the network of South-North and East to West corridors in cooperation with the Russian Federation and China,” the top military adviser to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei said.
He added that a requisite for Iran to become a maritime power is its presence in the Antarctic for research and scientific activities.
“We need to connect the maritime and ground geostrategic domains. This is a new strategy as Iran’s geographical location gives us such a capacity,” the general noted.
In a meeting with a number of commanders and officials of Iran’s Navy in November 2022, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed the need for the Navy to bolster and maintain its presence in international waters.
The Leader also emphasized the need for the Navy to boost its combat capabilities and defense equipment and to continue navigation in remote and international waters.
