Commander: Iranian Navy To Sail In Pacific Ocean For 1st Time In Three Decades

Tehran, Feb 25, IRNA – Commander of the Iranian Navy Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said here on Monday that the Iranian warships will be sailing in the Pacific Ocean for the first time in over three decades. The commander told reporters that a number of Iranian warships are to leave the Malaga Bay on Tuesday to continue their ways to the North into the Pacific Ocean. He said this is the first presence of the Iranian Navy in Malaga Bay after the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979. Malaga Bay is one of the world most important marine passages and hosts a number of important ports in Indonesia and Malaysia. Close to a quarter of world’s crude oil shipment is done through the passage making it the most important marine export route of oil in the world after Iran’s Hormuz Strait. Brigadier General Sayyari further noted that the Iranian fleet is also to visit port cities in China and Sri Lanka to convey the friendship message of the Iranian nation. Referring to the trade significance of north of the Indian Ocean and Southeastern Asia for Iran, he noted that given the very high volume of trade in Malaga Bay region, establishing security for Iranian ships to sail via the route is of importance for the country’s economy. He said the Iranian group of warships made its presence in the bay to provide security there./end