Majlis speaker: Return of Iran flotilla from Atlantic mission sign of Army’s power, self-sufficiency

Iran’s parliament speaker says the return of the country’s naval fleet from a mission in the Atlantic Ocean is a sign of the Iranian Army’s power and progress.

“The dignified return of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy’s 75th naval group from a 45,000km mission in the Atlantic Ocean is a sign of power, self-sufficiency and progress in the Islamic Republic of Iran’s Army,” Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf said while addressing an open session of the legislature on Sunday.

Qalibaf added that the Navy’s presence in the Atlantic Ocean “showed that whenever we believe in our fundamental values such as faith in God and the people, we can certainly bring all the calculations by the arrogant [powers] and enemies of the divine religion (of Islam) to failure.”

Iran’s 75th naval group, featuring the country’s most advanced indigenous destroyer Sahand and support vessel Makran, began its mission on May 2 by sailing to the northern Indian Ocean.

During a ceremony earlier on Sunday, Iran’s Navy chief Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said the 75th naval group managed to “powerfully” accomplish its mission, stressing that the country’s naval forces will uphold their international presence “with more lofty goals.”

Speaking to Press TV on Sunday, he said that the flotilla did not stop during its mission and returned home safely, thanks to the “resistance” and “self-reliance” of the Iranian naval personnel.

“The US does not have a proper understanding of Iran and they do not know our capabilities,” he said, noting that the mission was accomplished to the dismay of the US and other countries which had predicted Iran was unable to fulfill the mission.

'Mission accomplished': Iran welcomes back flotilla from Atlantic voyage

Iran’s Navy chief Rear Admiral Shahram Irani says the 75th naval group has managed to “powerfully” accomplish its mission.

The flotilla sailed 45,000 kilometers (24,000 nautical miles) along 55 countries in three continents.

Earlier this week, Iran’s Navy Chief Rear Admiral Shahram Irani highlighted the Islamic Republic’s self-sufficiency, saying the country’s maritime reach has grown to such a level that it can sail to any point across international waters.

265 MPs: Iran’s Navy mission thwarted enemies' ominous plots 

In a related development, 265 members of the Iranian Parliament issued a statement on Sunday, praising the Navy’s powerful measures and adding, "This [naval] force took unprecedented epic moves under conditions of tough sanctions, preventing the enemies from achieving their ominous goals."

Iranian Navy, according to the lawmakers, put up a powerful and glorious presence in the Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea and the Baltic Sea, at a time that “the humiliated enemy claimed to have caused problems for Iran by mounting maximum pressure” on the country.

“This is while we see that the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy not only has not been harmed by the sanctions, but also appeared much stronger than before, besides delivering high-tech parts of domestic origin,” the statement read.

The parliamentarians concluded the statement by voicing gratitude to Chief of the Iranian Army Major General Abdolrahim Mousavi as well as the commanders, officers and soldiers of the Navy, which is a branch of the country’s Army.

On Saturday, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei congratulated "the mighty and honorable return" of the 75th naval group from "the grave mission of navigating in the Atlantic Ocean for the first time in the history of the country's seafaring."

Leader commends return of Iran's naval group from major mission

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyed Ali Khamenei has congratulated the commander and service members of Iran

"Today, thank God, the Army of the Islamic Republic of Iran is present on the scene with its insightful, fervent and tireless personnel and is ready to fight for the lofty goals of the glorious Islamic Revolution," he added.

Ayatollah Khamenei further called on the Iranian armed forces to maintain and upgrade their capabilities.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk