Supreme Leader endorses IRGC plan to establish permanent military base in Indian Ocean: report

Iran's Army said the country's Supreme Leader endorsed the IRGC's intention to establish a permanent military base in the Indian Ocean by next March, with the aim of providing security in the waters of the Gulf of Oman and the ocean, and protecting fishermen and merchant ships from piracy.

According to the commander of the Naval Forces, Ali Reza Tungsiri in a press statement, the Guards have directives from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, to be present on the high seas permanently. 

Tungsiri said the Iranian Army and IRGC have previously sent fleets to the high seas, stressing that other future fleets will be sent.

The Iranian military official opined that Iranian fishermen and merchant ships were exposed to harassment by pirates in the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean, stressing that the permanent presence of the guards in those areas would prevent any future attacks.

It is noteworthy to mention that Iran possesses the strategic port of Chabahar on the waters of the Indian Ocean and the Sea of ​​Oman, but its development suffers from difficulties due to the U.S. economic sanctions against the Tehran.