The spokesman for the Iranian NavysVelayat 91specialized naval exercise has rejected Western media reports about Irans plans to block the Strait of Hormuz during the maneuver.
In response to the media reports about the Navys warnings to foreign vessels, Rear Admiral Amir Rastegari said on Saturday, The Navy has issued no warnings. In accordance with the international norms, announcements should be sent for the information of the ships passing by during any military drill in order to prevent any potential damages.
Rastegari noted that such announcements are issued to provide the security of the nearby commercial and naval vessels at certain times when the war games are underway.
On Saturday, Irans Navy started the second day ofVelayat 91in a vast area to display the countrys capabilities to defend its maritime borders and maintain durable peace in the region.
The six-day maritime maneuvers, launched on Friday, are carried out in the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman, north of the Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden and Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.
On the first day of the massive drill, a fleet of surface and subsurface vessels were sent to the location of the exercise.
The Islamic Republic has repeatedly assured other nations, especially neighbors, that its military might poses no threat to other countries, insisting that its defense doctrine is based on deterrence.