Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-IRGC claims to have developed a missile boat with a speed of 116 knots (215 km). The head of the IRGC Navy said this. At the time, he praised Iran’s state-of-the-art military achievements used to protect the Persian Gulf.
Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri made the announcement on Wednesday on the occasion of the National Day of the Persian Gulf. This day marks the anniversary of the expulsion of the Portuguese Navy from the Strait of Hormuz in 1622.
Tangsiri said, “We have developed a missile boat. Its speed is 116 knots or 215 kilometers per hour. It has passed all technical and specialized tests.”
The IRGC Navy develops its own ships, missiles, drones and submarines. Tangsiri said, “We work day and night to ensure the security of the Persian Gulf.” Pointing to the capabilities of the force, the commander said, “We remember that before the [1979] revolution, we could not even build a small fishing boat. An American company built them for us. But now we have built the most advanced technology, the Shahid (Martyr) Soleimani ship. It can sail 5,000 nautical miles non-stop at sea.”
The Persian Gulf covers an area of approximately 251,000 square kilometers. It is bounded by the Arvand River to the north. It forms the border between Iran and Iraq, and the Strait of Hormuz to the south. It connects the Persian Gulf with the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean.
The strategic inland sea is an international trade route connecting West Asia with Africa, India, and China. Historians and ancient texts have referred to it as the Persian Gulf since the Achaemenid Empire was founded in what is now modern-day Iran.
The IRGC Navy Commander said in his speech that the Persian Gulf has an inherent importance. The deepest coastline and the most suitable international waterways are located on the Iranian side.
Tangsiri said that the Persian Gulf has a very important economic position. The region has a very high oil and gas export, as 40 percent of the region’s gas and 62 percent of its oil are exported from the Persian Gulf. This shows how important the Persian Gulf is and its economic position is.
Tangsiri also said that the Persian Gulf is very important in terms of security. We have repeatedly sent messages of peace and friendship from Iran to the countries of the region. We have repeatedly said that we are seeking peace, friendship and brotherhood.
Referring to the daily passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, the commander said, “Today, we are proud to have established the security of the Strait of Hormuz and the daily passage of more than 80 ships in this region, which indicates the significance of this important and strategic region.”
Tangsiri emphasized the security of the Persian Gulf region. He said that the presence of extra-regional powers will be disrupted due to their terrible plots. Insecurity in the strategic Strait of Hormuz has an international dimension and an impact on the economy. Therefore, it is very important and strategic. What is important to us in the Persian Gulf is peace, security, brotherhood and friendship. We believe that the presence of foreigners in the Persian Gulf will disrupt security.
Source: Press TV