TEHRAN – Navy Commander Habibollah Sayyari has highlighted the importance of enhancing Iran’s naval power, calling for the country’s active presence in international waters to achieve this end.

Writing an article in the Jaam-e Jam newspaper published on Sunday, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said the Islamic Republic needs to develop more naval equipment to boost its naval capabilities.

“Naval might cannot be reached on its own, and requires various components and measures,” Sayyari recounted.

The navy commander also noted that due to the difficulties that the Islamic Republic has been facing since the revolution, the country has not been able to boost its naval power in the region and across the world until the past few years.

He lauded the Leader of the Islamic Revolution for his “tactful measures” that have paved the way for more progress by the navy.

Also on Saturday, during a televised interview marking National Navy Day, Sayyari said, “We are not limited to regional waters, and should have a far-reaching arm in international waters as security would not come about in the absence of power.”

“Beyond a doubt, our naval fleets will, in the near future, circle Africa and across the Atlantic, and will sail to waters of East Asia,” Press TV quoted the senior military official as saying.

MH/PA