Iranian Navy to Conduct Naval Maneuvers in Neutral Waters

28.11.2011 Iranian Navy will conduct the Velayat 90 naval exercise in neutral waters soon, reports Tehran Times on Nov 26 referring to Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayari.

According to Sayari, the maneuvers will take place in the Gulf of Oman and northern part of the Indian Ocean; it will differ from the previous one by larger zone, advanced equipment and tactics. Purpose of the exercise is demonstration of Iranian Navy's deterrent and defensive capabilities.

Iran has conducted naval exercises in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Ormuz many times; it regularly sends warships to neutral waters and calls neighbors to attend joint maneuvers in the region. In Feb 2011, two Iranian warships passed through the Suez Canal and entered the Mediterranean Sea arousing concerns of the US and Israel. On Nov 27 Iranian militia Basij kicked off a large-scale exercise with about 50,000 people involved. The maneuvers followed launching of three Ghadir-class diesel electric submarines.