‘Ten times’ more effective than nukes: Iran weighs creation of naval bases in Syria, Yemen

Iran is considering having naval bases on the coasts of Yemen and Syria, the Iranian chief of the general staff told a gathering of senior navy commanders, adding that the measure would have a great deterrent effect.


“One day, we may need bases on the coasts of Yemen and Syria, and we need the necessary infrastructures for it under the international maritime law,” Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri said, as cited by the Iranian Tasnim news agency.

The deterrent effect of having naval bases in foreign countries “could be ten times more efficient than nuclear power,” the head of the general staff said, stressing that Iran’s military strategy should focus on preventing potential enemies from accessing Iranian territories, and forcing potential enemy warships to stay away from the Iranian coast.

He went on to say that Iran needs a fleet in the Indian Ocean that would be equal to the one stationed in the Gulf of Oman, and urged the Navy to enhance its intelligence activities by working on satellite and cyber-space technologies, as well as by developing naval drones.

Iran should also develop its own naval infrastructure, as its coasts could provide space for several new ports, the major general said, stressing that the Islamic Republic should break Russia’s monopoly on providing Central Asian countries with access to international waters.

At the same time, Iranian Navy commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari told the gathering of senior navy commanders that Iran should boost its military presence in international waters to protect its economic interests and demonstrate its power.

The navy has already deployed 49 flotillas to various maritime zones, the admiral said, adding that Iran particularly “provided security of the northern Indian Ocean and showcased Iran’s symbol of power,” as reported by Tasnim.
 [rt.com]
26/11/16