TEHRAN - The Iranian navy has been clashing with pirates more than 300 times during the past years that 195 of them have been very serious and near Iran’s maritime borders, Navy chief Habibollah Sayyari has said.

In an interview with Mehr news agency published on Tuesday, Sayyari also said Iranian warships have been escorting about 3000 ships over these years.

He also said the Iranian navy attaches great importance to security in the Gulf of Aden.

The rear admiral also said certain countries are seeking to “learn” and “use” Iran’s “tactics” for establishing security.

The admiral added the Iranian navy is not just duty bound to track pirates but to defend vessels in case of attacks.

He also noted that the missile power of the Iran’s navy is “very good”.

The top military official said that Iran needs no foreign country’s help in modernizing its navy and it produces whatever it needs.

Elsewhere, he said turning the navy into a “strategic and extra-regional force” has been the most important achievement of the Iranian Army.

NA/PA