Iran’s Deputy Chief of the Army for Coordination Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said that Iran will never allow US warships to approach its territorial waters, noting that the Islamic Republic is ready to respond to any action by Washington.
Sayyari made his remarks on Monday while explaining the reaction of the Iranian Navy to the return of the American aircraft carrier, USS John C. Stennis, to the Persian Gulf on Friday after a long absence, PressTV reported.
On Monday, concurrent with the arrival of the US aircraft carrier, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) held the last stage of the “Great Prophet 12” military exercises in the Persian Gulf, which contained an “offensive” component in Iran’s military strategy. The drills featured amphibious operations and the seizing of bridgeheads along the coastline and enlisted various IRGC Ground Force units, drones and Zolfaqar fast patrol craft.