Iran naval drills send message to US
(Baonghean.vn) - On August 8, Commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), General Joseph Votel said that Iran's naval exercises with the participation of at least 100 small boats around the Strait of Hormuz last week sent a message to the US regarding the country's re-imposition of economic sanctions against Tehran.
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| Commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), General Joseph Votel. Photo: AP |
Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon, General Votel commented that Iran is showing off its military capabilities, in the context of Iranian President Hasan Rouhani threatening to block the strait.
“Clearly, they are trying to use this exercise to send a message to us that as we approach the sanctions period, they have some capabilities,” Votel said. “We are aware of what is going on, and we are ready to defend ourselves.”In addition, General Votel also criticized Iran for its continued attempts to destabilize other countries in the region, including Syria, Iraq and Yemen. According to Mr. Votel, Iran has the ability to plant mines and explosive-laden boats in this sea route, as well as use missiles and radar along the coast.
However, Mr. Votel said, the US and its allies regularly train to respond to this situation, and are ready to ensure freedom of navigation and commerce continues to be conducted in this area.
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| Commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), General Joseph Votel. Photo: AP |
General Votel affirmed that General Qassem Soleimani, the commander of military operations of Iranian forces in the Middle East (the elite Quds Force), is the one who carries out many of Iran's activities in this strait and in the region, and called the Quds Force the top threat in the region.
In recent weeks, President Rouhani has threatened to block the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route, and has said that if sanctions threaten Iran's crude exports, the exports of other countries in the Middle East will also be threatened./.
