Last week, Ali Khamenei noted that countries of the region should provide regional security not a foreign power, referring to the United States. Washington pursues its own interests in the Persian Gulf and thus poses a threat to the region, according to Iran's supreme leader.
"The security of the Persian Gulf is related to the regional countries that share common interests and not the US; hence the security of the Persian Gulf should be maintained by the countries of this very region," Fars news quoted Khamenei as saying.
Rear Admiral Sayyari echoed this sentiment on Monday. Iran has repeatedly said "that security in the Persian Gulf can be established through (the collective cooperation of) all the regional states," Iranian Navy Commander said. "Iran [will not] allow this region to become insecure," he emphasized.
Last year, Khamenei praised the Navy for ensuring national security but noted that it should update and increase its military capabilities, as well as strengthen its "belief, motivations and spirit of devotion."
#Leader in meeting w Navy commanders: Armed Forces should always upgrade their readiness all the time and away from #political calculations.
— Khamenei.ir (@khamenei_ir) 30 ноября 2014
The order was directed at Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN). The Islamic Republic has two naval forces, with the second being the naval wing of the elite Revolutionary Guards.
