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Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari
Photo: Reuters

Iran mulls Antarctic deployment

Tehran's Navy chief says Islamic Republic to send ships to South Pole on research mission

Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said that the Islamic Republic has the ability to send its to far seas and oceans, adding that his forces are planning a voyage to the South Pole.

 

Fars news agency quoted Sayyari Saturday as saying that Iran "Has the capability to hoist Iran's flag in different regions from the North Pole to the South Pole.

 

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"We have had coordination with the Oceanography Organization, and we are planning presence near the Antarctica," Sayyari said, stressing that Iran "Has a right to have presence in high seas."

 

Vahid Chegini, the managing-director of Iran's National Institute for Oceanography (INIO) said in August that Tehran is currently building "an oceangoing research vessel to conduct exploratory missions in the South Pole."

 

According to the report, about 35% of the construction has so far been completed.

 

The Iranian Navy has repeatedly asserted its right to venture into international waters worldwide. In June, Sayyari announced that his force plans to build more warships to that aim, as increased deployments "would protect Iranian cargo ships around the world."

 

As part of its upgrade efforts, Tehran's navy is also trying to increase its submarine fleet, and is currently in the process of domestically-manufacting two more submarines.

 

Saar Haas contributed to this report

 

 

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פרסום ראשון: 09.22.12, 13:49
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