Iran’s marine border guards complete naval exercise

PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran’s marine border guards have wrapped up their seven-day naval exercise, codenamed Val Fajr, in the country's southern sea borders, Press TV reports.

The five-phase drill, aimed at protecting Iran’s sea borders against human trafficking and drug smuggling, ended on Wednesday, May 2.

The last phase of the exercise included rescuing hostages from pirates, fighting fuel smuggling and combating human trafficking.

“In recent years, as a result of efforts by Iranian border guards, sources of insecurity, such as human trafficking, drug smuggling and sea border invasions have dropped by over 50 percent in the Persian Gulf waters,” said Iran's Police Chief Esmail Ahmadi Moqaddam on the sidelines of the final phase of the maneuver.

“Moreover, since the beginning of the new Iranian year (March 20, 2012), the bulk of narcotics confiscated by Iranian forces have increased by 30 percent, compared to the last year’s corresponding period,” he added.

“The message of this naval exercise is security and peace for our neighbors and the vessels passing through the Persian Gulf waters. At the same time, we send out a strong message to the pirates and smugglers that the watchful eyes of the Iranian border guards will prevent them from any wrongdoing in Iran's territorial waters,” said Iran's Border Police Commander Hossein Zolfaqari.

Iran says it spent over USD 700 million to seal its land borders to prevent the transit of narcotics destined for European, Arab and Central-Asian countries.