Iran’s Maritime Expansion, Establishment of Ocean Commands Emerging as Real Threats

Israeli sources said that like what happened in the Iranian nuclear program, “the world is blind and deaf in what looks like a real threat to maritime operations in main oceans.”

According to a report in the website of the Middle East Media Research Institute (MEMRI), in a November 26, 2024 interview that was distributed by the Iranian Tasnim News Agency, Admiral Shahram Irani, commander of the Iranian navy, outlined plans to establish “ocean commands” to expand Iran’s naval operations.

He said that these commands, aimed at securing Iranian vessels in the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, are a key part of the navy’s strategy. Admiral Irani also mentioned that the first stage of this initiative would involve the construction of mobile offshore bases.

Admiral Shahram Irani stated, “Today, 70% of the world’s economy is distributed across the seas. In the future, this figure will cross the 90% mark. Consequently, our maritime interests will expand. We will definitely have progress in this field. Therefore, we thought that with regard to the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic oceans, where our vessels will be, and where they will need aid and support – our number-one priority will be to provide security for them. Therefore, we will establish oceanic commands.”

“Right now, the planning phase is in the works. The fighters receive the required training so we can proceed in that direction. At the same time, [producing] the required equipment is on the agenda. The first stage will include [building] mobile offshore bases, so that for an extended period of time… The vessel is not supposed to return [to Iran]. The crew of the vessel will be replaced. The order of deployment will be according to our priorities,” he added.

“Throughout history, we were present in the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, and the farthest we got was the Strait of Gibraltar and the Atlantic Ocean,” Admiral Irani said.