Iran kicks off naval drills in Gulf waters, vows to protect islands
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The IRGC unveils during the exercises naval vessels equipped with 600km-range missiles.
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In this picture released by the official website of the Iranian Army on Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, navy troops move forward at coast in an annual drill in the coastal area of the Gulf of Oman and near the strategic Strait of Hormuz (Iranian Army via AP)
The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy launched a military exercise on Wednesday near Abu Musa island in the Gulf waters, as tensions between Tehran and UAE, who claims right over the three islands in the area, a notion backed by the United States.
However, the Islamic Republic confirms its ownership of the lands based on historical documents and its centuries-long presence on its territory.
Read more: UAE withdraws from US-led Middle East Maritime Security Alliance
The naval drill was kicked off in the presence of IRGC Commander Major General Hossein Salami, IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Ali-Reza Tangsiri, along with other commanders and military officials of the Iranian Army and local authorities in the Abu Musa Island.
During the exercise, the IRGC unveiled new vessels equipped with 600-km range missiles but did not provide any further technical details.
IRGC's wargame was dubbed "Martyr Eshaq Dara" and aims to show Iran's unwavering commitment to protecting the islands and Gulf waters' security.
Operational combat units, naval vessels, missiles, drones, and electromagnetic warfare were part of the exercise to prepare for any event in the region.
Read more: US pursues militarization in Gulf; amps up aerial, naval forces
"The islands of the Persian Gulf are part of Iran's honor and we will defend them," Tangsiri said, adding that Gulf security should be ensured by regional countries.
"The Persian Gulf belongs to all of the region's countries ... These states must be very prudent and prevent themselves from falling into the conspiracies and divisive plans of extra-regional countries," he added.
The Islamic Republic repeatedly confirmed that the three Gulf islands of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb will always be part of its territory. The islands sit near vital oil shipping channels at the mouth of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
According to Iran, the three territories are inseparable parts of the country, and any claims otherwise are considered as interference in its internal affairs.
