TEHRAN (FNA)- Commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said that his forces have so far seized 35 foreign vessels due to the violation of maritime law.
Rear Admiral Tangsiri stated on Wednesday that Iranian naval forces have so far seized 35 ships for violation of maritime law in the waters of the country’s Southern coasts.
“Iran does not seize ships for no reason. For years, the Persian Gulf has become a safe route, and the Strait of Hormuz is under our surveillance,” he added.
The naval forces of the IRGC have recently confiscated a ship in the strategic waters of the Strait of Hormuz. It comes days after Tehran seized an oil-laden tanker in the Gulf of Oman in retaliation for US confiscation of Iranian oil on a tanker at sea.
READ MORE: IRGC Commander Warns of Harsh Response to Any US Raid on Iranian Ships
Speaking about Iran’s tit-for-tat move to confiscate a US oil tanker in response to the seizure by American forces of an Iranian oil cargo, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kana'ani stated that Tehran will not hesitate to take all necessary measures to defend its national interests and the rights of its citizens.
"Iran has proved that its hands are not tied up if its national interests are threatened," the senior official underscored.
He denounced the US move to confiscate the country's oil cargo on a tanker at sea, and underlined that Tehran would respond in kind to any hostile move by Washington.
Iran says the US is the primary source of insecurity in West Asia and Washington remains responsible for the instability in the region as long as its wrong and crisis-making policies are not rectified.
Iranian military officials say the Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navies have brought stability and safety to the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. The Iranian naval forces have succeeded in escorting and protecting almost 5,000 oil tankers and commercial ships in international waters since 2008, according to Iranian officials.
They have declared the Iranian naval forces' full preparedness to fight off any plot of enemies against Tehran at its birth, stressing that the country's armed forces will teach a painful lesson to foes in case they launch any act of aggression against the country.
Military officials have warned that any mistake by the US and Israel will be met with Tehran's tough and harsh response. Iranian officials say Washington and Tel Aviv are well aware of Tehran’s capabilities and capacities, and caution that Tehran does not compromise or joke with its national security. They stress the Iranian Armed Forces’ deterrent power dissuades the United States and Israel from implementing its threats against the country.
Tehran has repeatedly cautioned that any plan aimed at increasing US presence in the Middle East will only foment insecurity and instability and spread terrorism, urging the neighboring countries to be extremely vigilant about any US-Israeli plan that clearly aims to disturb the stability and order of the region. Iran has repeatedly stated that the US should end its illegal presence and withdraw its forces from the region with no delay.
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