TEHRAN, Iran, Dec 16 (NNN-TASNIM) – The naval forces of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), have powerful presence in the Gulf, Commander of the IRGC’s Navy, Ali Reza Tangsiri, said, on Sunday.
The IRGC Navy checks and monitors foreign vessels entering the Gulf, and questions them about their nationality, the type of vessels and their destination, Tangsiri said.
He noted that monitoring foreign vessels in the Gulf is “an inalienable right” of Iran.
“We have the right to question vessels because the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz is located in Iran’s territorial waters,” he added.
Iran has long disputed the presence of western military forces in the Gulf, and insisted that the regional states are authorised to monitor the movements of the vessels and ensure their security.– NNN-TASNIM
