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Iran navy heightens security in Gulf territorial waters

Xinhua, March 1, 2017 Adjust font size:

Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy has officially taken over the responsibility of preserving the security of Iranian waters in Persian Gulf, Press TV reported on Tuesday.

According to an agreement with the Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran, the IRGC Navy is tasked with seizing vessels trespassing on Iran's territorial waters in the Persian Gulf, said Rear Admiral Ali Fadavi, the commander of the IRGC Navy.

IRGC will seize all intruding vessels in the Persian Gulf and hand them over to the Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran, Fadavi said.

The two sides would also set up and implement a new procedure for cooperation with regard to various maritime issues, including environmental issues as well as search and rescue operations, he said.

In January 2016, Iran's naval forces arrested the crews of two U.S. patrol boats that had trespassed on Iranian territorial waters. Iran released them after establishing that they had done so by mistake. Endit