The Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, affirmed that the effective presence of the Iranian Navy in international waters is a significant step towards achieving maritime sovereignty. In a statement on the occasion of Navy Day for the Iranian army, General Bagheri said, "November 28 is Navy Day in the Islamic Republic of Iran, a reminder of the bravery of the fighters of the frigate 'Baykan,' who dealt a heavy blow to the naval forces of the Iraqi Ba'ath Army during the imposed war (Saddam's war against Iran 1980-1988) with minimal means and at the cost of their lives, courageously defending the territorial integrity of Islamic Iran. By sacrificing their blood in the tumultuous waters of the Persian Gulf, they answered the call of truth and achieved martyrdom with pride."
He added, "We thank the Almighty God that alongside the significant capabilities and achievements of the naval forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the formidable presence of this strategic force in our national and international waters—once a domain of global powers—has been a source of pride for this force. It marks a significant step towards implementing the Supreme Leader Imam Khamenei's directives on achieving maritime sovereignty. This blessed event will remain etched in the historical memory of Iranians and will serve as a message of peace and friendship to neighboring countries, while instilling terror in those with malevolent intentions against the Iranian people."
General Bagheri concluded, "We believe that strengthening Iran's deterrent power against maritime threats and engaging with Islamic countries to achieve mutual security and sustainable peace in the West Asia region are vital incentives for the country's development and will support the realization of a worthy regional and global status in utilizing the open seas."
