Reaction to Mine
Countermeasure Exercise by U.S. and 30 Allied Navies
Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah
Sayyari said today the navy will start operating a “new mine sweeping system”
in the Persian Gulf in coming days. The announcement coincides with a massive International
Mine Countermeasure Exercise (IMCMEX) by the U.S. and more than 30 allied naval
forces that will take place in the region on 6-30 May.
Adm. Sayyari criticized the U.S. for holding IMCMEX,
calling it an “Iranophobia” plot. (Fars News Agency, 4 May)
“As
Americans have declared, they plan to carry out joint mine sweeping drills with
around 30 world countries, but these measures are all line with (their)
Iranophobia plots,” Adm. Sayyari said.
”Yet, he said Iran will not sit silent when the enemy troops embark on staging maneuvers in the region. This week we will bring into operation a mine sweeping system that we are now working on so that if the trans-regional enemies take a (hostile) move in this region, we could be able to sweep the seabed,” he added.
Photo credit: Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari (Fars News Agency)
