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31 January 2013 - 11:32

The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has started three-day military drills in the Persian Gulf waters in southern Iran to exercise rapid deployment of its forces in case of crisis.

The maritime drills, codenamed Fath (Victory) 91, aims to assess the combat readiness of the IRGC Marines as well as air defense, naval patrol, missile and vessel units, IRGC Navy commander Rear Admiral Seifollah Bakhtiarvand said Wednesday.

“After the end of [1980s Iraqi imposed] war, the IRGC strengthened itself and designed its defense projects based on the worst case scenarios,” the commander said.


In December 2012, Iran’s Navy held six-day naval maneuvers in order to display the country’s capabilities to defend its maritime borders and maintain lasting peace in the region.

The drills covered a vast area including the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman, north of the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden, and Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.

Over the past few years, Iran has held several military drills to enhance the defensive capabilities of its armed forces and to test modern military tactics and equipment.

The Islamic Republic has repeatedly assured other nations, especially neighbors, that its military might poses no threat to other countries, insisting that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence.
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News ID 184106