“The joint search and rescue exercise with the Omani Navy will be held in March 2014”, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said on Saturday.

The commander noted that self-sufficiency in producing naval equipment has given the Iranian Navy strong surface and underwater capabilities both.

On January 22, Commander of the 24th fleet of Iran Navy Captain Seyyed Omid Golestaneh said the joint exercise will be carried out in various maritime accidents and unfavorable weather and sea conditions to help reduce the time of rescue and relief operations in such circumstances.

Tehran and Muscat have agreed to carry out joint naval drills every year to ensure readiness for relief services and rescue operations as well as improve the level of regional cooperation and the exchange of experience.

Iran and Oman staged a joint naval relief and rescue drill in February 2011. Four Omani vessels, two fighter jets and one maritime helicopter as well as four Iranian naval ships participated in the drill.

Iran's Navy has been multiplying its naval presence in the international waters since 2011, deploying vessels to the Indian Ocean and dispatching two ships via the Suez Canal to the Mediterranean for the first time in February 2011.

The Islamic Republic has extended a public invitation to the regional states to conduct joint naval drills with Iranian forces.

HH/HH