WANA (Feb 27) – Task Force 103 of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, following the completion of a strategic, extra-regional mission, successfully berthed at Konarak Port in the Navy’s Third Naval Zone. The mission drew international attention for both its operational and diplomatic implications.

 

Comprising the logistics vessel Makran and the destroyer Naghdi from the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, along with the helicopter carrier Shahid Mahdavi from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, the task force began its mission in early December with the aim of participating in international naval exercises. After 100 days of continuous sailing and covering approximately 13,000 nautical miles, it returned home.

 

The mission included Iran’s active participation in the international “Exercise of Will for Peace” in South Africa, as well as a notable presence at the Milan naval exercise. According to senior naval commanders, this participation reflected Iran’s enhanced standing in regional and extra-regional maritime security equations.

 

At the welcoming ceremony for Task Force 103, the Commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy emphasized the constant readiness of the country’s naval forces, stating that over the past 47 years they have consistently remained on full alert and have spent a significant portion of official holidays and occasions on operational and overseas missions.

 

Referring to the professional and confident conduct of Task Force 103, he added that the way other countries interacted with the task force at sea clearly demonstrated the authority of Iran’s navy—an issue that was also highlighted in foreign media analyses and expert reports.

 

The Navy Commander also pointed to a major achievement at the Milan exercise, noting that Iran presented five specialized and operational proposals, all of which were approved. Ultimately, all adopted measures served national interests and strengthened Iran’s role in multilateral maritime cooperation.

Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy

Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, commander of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy. Social media/ WANA News Agency