The commander of the navy said projects are being implemented to develop a stretch of the Makran coastal strip in southern Iran along the coasts of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman from the port city of Bandar Abbas to the border with Pakistan.
"We want to set up bases in three regions and establish naval zones in two regions; and the development of these coasts is on the agenda," Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said in an interview with IRNA published on Sunday.
The interview was conducted on the occasion of National Navy Day, which is commemorated on November 28.
Sayyari said the government has started work to develop the coasts, adding that housing complexes for navy personnel will be constructed in the area.
He also said the navy plans to increase its presence in international waters.
"The open seas belong to all nations and we want to expand our presence in the open seas based on our legal right."
In recent years, Iran has dispatched naval fleets on months-long missions in international waters to protect Iranian commercial ships and tankers. The naval forces have also rescued foreign vessels from pirate attacks. The navy's 32nd fleet is now operating in the Gulf of Aden.
Joint Drill
He said the navy has staged joint exercises with naval forces of neighboring countries over the past few years, adding Iran and Oman may hold a major rescue and relief drill during the next Iranian calendar year, which starts on March 21, 2015.
He also said that Iran may hold joint naval war games with other countries, including Russia and China. Two Russian warships docked in the Caspian Sea port of Anzali in northern Iran in mid-October and took part in a joint exercise with Iranian naval forces.
New Vessels to Join Navy
Elsewhere, the Navy commander announced that domestically manufactured Damavand warship and Fateh submarine are ready to be delivered to the navy.
He said Iran is now able to design and manufacture various types of destroyers, submarines and missile-launching warships.
He added that if the defense ministry takes a decision to export pieces of military hardware to other countries, experts at the navy in cooperation with scientific centers is ready to produce maritime equipment for this purpose.
In conclusion, he said the navy's equipment must be up-to-date so that naval forces can carry out missions in international waters efficiently.
