Iran may hold joint naval drills in near future: commander

Iran's Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said Friday that Iran will probably hold joint naval drills with some other countries, Press TV reported.

"We hope that we will stage joint naval maneuvers with some regional and even non-regional countries during this Iranian calendar year," Sayari told reporters.

The Iranian year he mentioned ends on March 20, 2017.

In recent years, Iran has made major breakthroughs in its defense sector and attained self-sufficiency in the production of important military equipment and systems, he said, adding that the Iranian navy has fully secured the country's routes and vessels in high seas.

Iranian military officials have repeatedly invited the army units of regional states for joint military exercises, saying that Iran's military might poses no threat to other countries, and its defense doctrine is merely based on deterrence. Endit