MP Describes Navy Wargames as Serious Warning to Western Powers

Navideshahed: The ongoing naval wargames in Iran's Southern waters should be seen as a serious warning to the West about the closure of the Strait of Hormoz, a senior Iranian lawmaker said on Monday.

News ID: ۳۲۹۰۰۰

دوشنبه - ۲۷ اسفند ۲۰۱۱ / 2011 27 December

"These wargames are a warning to the western countries about the closure of the Strait of Hormoz," member of the parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Zohreh Elahian told FNA on Monday.

"If any threat is posed to Iran, the Islamic Republic is capable of closing the Strait of Hormoz," the senior lawmaker reiterated.

"The naval drills in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman display the power and domination of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Navy over the regional waters," she added.

"The wargames are related to the power of deterrence, dominance and superiority over the region and are a symbol of the defensive and deterrence power of the Islamic Republic ruling system and (Iranian) Armed Forces," the legislator noted.

Iran's naval forces started massive wargames in international waters in the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean on Saturday.

The naval maneuvers dubbed Velayat 90 are due to cover an area stretching from the East of the Strait of Hormoz in the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Aden for 10 days.

During the wargames, the Iranian naval forces will display their latest equipment, achievement and tactics.

Earlier, Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari had said that the exercises will manifest Iran's military prowess and defense capabilities in the international waters, convey a message of peace and friendship to the regional countries, and test the newest military equipment among other objectives.

Iranian officials have recently warned enemies that Iran is entitled to the right to close the strategic oil lifeline as a defensive option against foreign invasion.

"The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is not on the Islamic Republic of Iran's agenda (at present), but if threats against Iran come to trample upon the rights of our nation while others use the strait for exporting their oil, then Iran will be entitled to the right to close the Strait of Hormuz," member of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Taqi Rahbar told FNA earlier this month.

"The international conventions reserve such rights for the Islamic Republic of Iran as well," Rahbar underscored.

The lawmaker, however, said, "For the time being, the Islamic Republic of Iran has not decided to close the strait, but this (closing the strait) depends on the conditions of the region."

Israel and its close ally the United States have recently intensified their war rhetoric against Iran. The two arch foes of the Islamic Republic accuse Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, while they have never presented any corroborative document to substantiate their allegations. Both Washington and Tel Aviv possess advanced weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear warheads.

Iran vehemently denies the charges, insisting that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. Tehran stresses that the country has always pursued a civilian path to provide power to the growing number of Iranian population, whose fossil fuel would eventually run dry.

Iran has, in return, warned that it would target Israel and its worldwide interests in case it comes under attack by the Tel Aviv.

The United States has long stressed that military action is a main option for the White House to deter Iran's progress in the field of nuclear technology.

Iran has warned that in case of an attack by either the US or Israel, it will target 32 American bases in the Middle East and close the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

An estimated 40 percent of the world's oil supply passes through the waterway.

The End
Source: Fars News Agency

"These wargames are a warning to the western countries about the closure of the Strait of Hormoz," member of the parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Zohreh Elahian told FNA on Monday. "If any threat is posed to Iran, the Islamic Republic is capable of closing the Strait of Hormoz," the senior lawmaker reiterated. "The naval drills in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman display the power and domination of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Navy over the regional waters," she added. "The wargames are related to the power of deterrence, dominance and superiority over the region and are a symbol of the defensive and deterrence power of the Islamic Republic ruling system and (Iranian) Armed Forces," the legislator noted. Iran's naval forces started massive wargames in international waters in the Sea of Oman and the Indian Ocean on Saturday. The naval maneuvers dubbed Velayat 90 are due to cover an area stretching from the East of the Strait of Hormoz in the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Aden for 10 days. During the wargames, the Iranian naval forces will display their latest equipment, achievement and tactics. Earlier, Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari had said that the exercises will manifest Iran's military prowess and defense capabilities in the international waters, convey a message of peace and friendship to the regional countries, and test the newest military equipment among other objectives. Iranian officials have recently warned enemies that Iran is entitled to the right to close the strategic oil lifeline as a defensive option against foreign invasion. "The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is not on the Islamic Republic of Iran's agenda (at present), but if threats against Iran come to trample upon the rights of our nation while others use the strait for exporting their oil, then Iran will be entitled to the right to close the Strait of Hormuz," member of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Taqi Rahbar told FNA earlier this month. "The international conventions reserve such rights for the Islamic Republic of Iran as well," Rahbar underscored. The lawmaker, however, said, "For the time being, the Islamic Republic of Iran has not decided to close the strait, but this (closing the strait) depends on the conditions of the region." Israel and its close ally the United States have recently intensified their war rhetoric against Iran. The two arch foes of the Islamic Republic accuse Iran of seeking a nuclear weapon, while they have never presented any corroborative document to substantiate their allegations. Both Washington and Tel Aviv possess advanced weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear warheads. Iran vehemently denies the charges, insisting that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes only. Tehran stresses that the country has always pursued a civilian path to provide power to the growing number of Iranian population, whose fossil fuel would eventually run dry. Iran has, in return, warned that it would target Israel and its worldwide interests in case it comes under attack by the Tel Aviv. The United States has long stressed that military action is a main option for the White House to deter Iran's progress in the field of nuclear technology. Iran has warned that in case of an attack by either the US or Israel, it will target 32 American bases in the Middle East and close the strategic Strait of Hormuz. An estimated 40 percent of the world's oil supply passes through the waterway. The End Source: Fars News Agency