“The Navy has envisaged extensive measures in this regard. For example, its forces have been stationed in areas such as Jask, Konarak and Pasabandar,” Sayyari said in a Thursday interview.

The Iranian commander pointed to the strategic importance of Iran’s southeastern coasts, saying that Iran's Makran coastline, stretching from the Strait of Hormuz to Pasabandar Port, can be considered as “the most important coastline of the country” due to its favorable geographical situation and its proximity to the ocean.

Makran is a semi-desert coastal strip in the south and southeast of Iran. The coastline stretches into Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan and southern province of Sindh.

Sayyari noted that while the southeastern coastline should have been Iran’s hub of maritime industries and ports, there are no such facilities in the region yet.

The Iranian commander pointed out that if Iran develops maritime industries in the Makran coastline, the region can turn into one of the most important coastal regions in the world.

Iran has extensive plans to develop multipurpose ports and build passenger terminals and wharfs across the country.

Substantial investment has been made in Iranian ports in the recent years, with approximately $ 3.2 billion reportedly allocated to about 150 projects.

BA/BA