ISLAMABAD – In a visit to Pakistan, Iran’s Navy Commander Rear AdmiralHossein Khanzadi has said that the two neighbors — which share both landand sea borders — are seeking to enhance naval cooperation.
In an exclusive interview with IRNA news agency in Islamabad on Tuesday,Khanzadi said he had traveled to Pakistan upon an official invitation,which followed a trip by Chief of Pakistani Naval Staff Admiral ZafarMahmood Abbasi to Tehran in April for the 6th Indian Ocean Naval Symposium(IONS) Conclave of Chiefs (CoC).
“Our main approach is to broaden cooperation between Iran and Pakistan atsea and we are pursuing it seriously in various operational, technical andeducational areas besides information exchanges,” he added.
The commander also noted that the Pakistani side had invited Iran’s Navy totake part in an international drill in Amman scheduled for the next fewmonths.
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Chief of The Naval Staff Admiral Zafar Mahmood Abbasi visited Iran toattend 6th Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs (CoC)2018 held in Tehran, from 22-25 Apr 18. See More…linklink[image: View image on Twitter]link:View image on Twitter]8linklinkTwitter Ads info and privac linkslink
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He further hailed his talks with Pakistani officials as “important andconstructive,” saying the two sides had also discussed using the capacitiesof Chabahar and Gwadar ports.
‘Iran’s security cannot be challenged’
Elsewhere in his remarks, Khanzadi stressed that no country is able to makea dent in Iran’s security, which he described as a “domestic achievement.”
“Such robust security alongside our neighboring states, including oureastern neighbor Pakistan, can certainly provide good synergy andconvergence needed to achieve collective security, especially at sea,” hesaid.
He also blasted certain Western countries and arrogant powers for settingup “theatrical coalitions” under the pretext of ensuring security in theStrait of Hormuz, saying such alliances are actually meant to consolidatethe West’s “illegitimate presence” in the region and would only bring aboutinsecurity.
Those outsiders not only failed to form such alliances, but are alsogradually withdrawing from the region, he added.
“I spoke with my Pakistani counterpart in this regard and said that theregion needs no foreign forces,” Khanzadi said. “The Pakistani side sharesIran’s position.”
The commander further underlined the need for regional countries’“coordination and cooperation” to safeguard the region.
Regional tensions have intensified after attacks earlier this year on oiltankers near the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf, and a strike onSaudi oil facilities. The United States has blamed Iran for the incidents.Iran has denied the allegations, saying it attaches high significance tothe security of the strategic region.
The United States has been trying to persuade its allies into joining aninternational coalition with the declared aim of providing “security” formerchant shipping in the Strait of Hormuz — through which about a fifth ofall oil consumed globally passes — and other strategic Middle Easternshipping lanes.
Meanwhile, France has separately pushed for a European security alternativein the Strait of Hormuz.