Iranian navy showcases new vessels equipped with 600 km range missiles

 

The Revolutionary Guards navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran showcased new vessels equipped with 600 km range missiles on Tuesday, amid escalating tensions with the United States in the Gulf, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency of Iran.

Revolutionary Guards’ Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri said, “The islands of the Gulf are part of Iran’s honour and we will defend them. The Gulf belongs to all of the region’s countries ... These states must prevent themselves from falling into the conspiracies and divisive plans of extra-regional countries.”

During a military exercise off the coast of Abu Musa island, Alireza Tangsiri reportedly promised to safeguard the islands of the Gulf.

Following the Islamic Republic of Iran's seizure of commercial maritime vessels in recent months, the United States authorities reportedly sent more F-35 and F-16 fighter fighters, as well as a cruiser, to the Middle East in order to monitor important waterways in the region.

Last month, the US said that Iran seized two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz, a strait between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. Subsequently, the US said it would send F-16 fighter jets to the Gulf region.

According to reports and sources, a US defense official said that the F-16 fighter jets would give protection to the ships and vessels near the Strait of Hormuz. 

Reportedly, an oil tanker, managed by United States oil company Chevron, was blocked by Iranian navy vessels in July. The US authorities claimed that the Iranian naval vessels backed off when the USS McFaul arrived on the scene.

However, Iran said it received court orders to seize the Richmond Voyager because its collision with a ship owned by Iranian authorities injured five crew members. The Maritime Search and Rescue Center of Iran’s Hormozgan Province also made similar claims.