Iran plans to hold joint naval exercises with Kazakhstan, Russia and Oman, says the Islamic Republic's Navy commander.�

�As Iran�s Navy dispatches its fleets to other countries, it also plans�to hold joint naval maneuvers,� Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said on Monday.

He said the Iranian Navy is prepared to stage joint drills with flotillas of�other countries�which enter Iranian waters.

The commander noted that Iran�s Navy held joint maneuvers�with Russia and China in the past Iranian calendar year (ended on March 19, 2015).

In April 2014, the naval forces of Iran and Oman staged a joint rescue and relief naval drill in the Sea of Oman.

Iran and Oman have so far held several naval relief and rescue drills aimed at enhancing their readiness to�provide�relief services and carry out rescue operations, upgrading�regional cooperation�and exchanging experience.

In recent years, Iran�s Navy has increased its presence in international waters to protect naval routes and provide security for merchant vessels and tankers.

In line with international efforts against piracy, the Iranian Navy has also been conducting patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008 in order to safeguard merchant containers and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran or other countries.

Iran�s Navy has managed to foil several attacks on both Iranian and foreign tankers during its missions in international waters.

By Press TV