Iranian naval commander says forces ready to defend maritime borders continuously

A senior commander of the Iranian Army Navy said on Saturday that naval forces, including missile and drone units and commandos, maintain a continuous presence to safeguard the country's waters. Speaking at a ceremony in the northern coastal city of Astara, the commander, identified as Razzaqi, described human resources as the Navy's most important asset, according to the IRNA news agency.

Razzaqi stated that the cost of any aggression against Iran must be raised to such an extent that the enemy will no longer dare attack the country again. He added that the armed forces' strategy goes beyond merely ending hostilities and aims to impose prohibitive costs on any aggressor. He pointed to Iran's missile, drone and naval capabilities, its strategic geographical position and the steadfastness of its people as central elements of the country's deterrence.

His remarks are part of a series of statements by Iranian officials and commanders signaling full preparedness to respond to any renewed act of aggression. Earlier, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei posted on X: "Start a war, and you'll face a devastating response." In late October, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Khamenei ordered "maximum deterrence," instructing commanders to deliver an immediate and effective response without geographical restriction should the country come under attack again. The directive called for intelligent combat readiness to confront threats decisively and for the continuous updating of target banks.

According to Mehr News, the commander's comments underscore Iran's emphasis on deterrence and readiness amid ongoing regional tensions.