Deputy Chief of the Iranian Army for Coordination Rear Admiral Habibollah (R) meets with Commander-in-Chief of Russia’s Navy, Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, in Tehran, on May 15, 2023. (Photo by Fars news agency)
A senior Iranian Army commander says the country will enhance cooperation with its allies, including Russia, to counter threats posed to regional security by “global arrogance.”
In a meeting with Commander-in-Chief of Russia’s Navy Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov in Tehran on Monday, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, deputy chief of the Iranian Army for Coordination, urged vigilance to prevent any domination of the global arrogance.
“We do not want to dominate and attack any country, but we stand against any threats and arrogant domination. In this regard, we will strengthen our cooperation and synergy with friendly and allied countries, including Russia,” Sayyari said.
“We must certainly be strong to ensure security and peace in the region… Also, we must have unity and synergy, and use each other’s experiences in such a way that … leads to effective deterrence.”
The commander also expressed the Iranian Army’s readiness to implement joint cooperation projects with Russia in the fields of making mutual visits, improving the quality of military competitions, as well as maritime patrols and exercises, ensuring economic security, taking counter-terrorism measures, conducting maritime search and rescue operations and trainings, and helping damaged vessels.
He further hailed the capability of Iran’s Navy, saying the force has faithful and knowledgeable employees and state-of-the-art surface and subsurface equipment.
Iranian naval vessels, he added, have today made voyages to important ports, including Port of St. Petersburg, and circumnavigated the globe.
“Following the Islamic Revolution, the Islamic Republic of Iran … put the appropriate use of the sea on its agenda. After pirate attacks in the Gulf of Aden, the Navy developed its powerful presence in international waters … and even helped many countries.”
The Russian admiral also stressed enhanced cooperation between the naval forces of the two countries.
The Iranian and Russian navies enjoy close relations and have staged several joint exercises.