News- Middle East: The presence of foreign naval forces in the Persian Gulf undermines regional security and hampers Iran's efforts to safeguard this strategically vital region, said the commander of Iran's IRGC Navy.

Speaking in Bandar Abbas on the eve of Persian Gulf National Day on April 30, Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri emphasized that the region’s strategic and economic importance is compromised by the movement of foreign warships, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, where disruptions could affect the global economy.

The commander argued that foreign powers pursue two nefarious objectives in the Persian Gulf: first, to establish an unauthorized foothold in the region, and second, to sell weapons to regional states.

“Achieving these sinister objectives requires fomenting hostility in the region,” he said. "Have no doubt that those who travel thousands of miles to this area do not seek the security of this region.”

General Tangsiri further stressed that a country like Iran, which boasts the longest coastline, the greatest number of islands, and the deepest waterways in the Persian Gulf, must naturally prioritize the region's security.

“We seek the security of this region,” he stated. “What matters to us in the Persian Gulf is peace, security, brotherhood, and friendship."

The commander said Iran is proud to have secured the Strait of Hormuz and facilitated the daily transit of more than 80 vessels, a testament to the critical strategic value of this maritime corridor.

Source: Press TV