Iranian navy committed to safeguarding security of Persian Gulf: commander

China

Iranian navy committed to safeguarding security of Persian Gulf: commander

2024-04-30 14:37 Last Updated At：17:47

The Iranian navy is committed to safeguarding the security of the Persian Gulf and is set to react to any acts of aggression with resolute and strong responses, said a navy commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) while celebrating the country's Persian Gulf National Day on Monday.

The celebration was held in Iran's southern city of Bushehr, a geographically strategic coastal city on the Persian Gulf.

Dozens of armed speedboats were on display during the celebration and the country's self-developed frigate Bagheri, equipped with a cruise missile launch system with a range of 700 kilometers, made its first public display to foreign media on the day.

"We can feel the tranquility and the security of the Persian Gulf. On my left side lies the Bushehr nuclear power plant, and behind me are the various vessels of IRGC. The Iranian navy wants to express to the people of Iran and the neighbors of Iran its determination to safeguard the security of the Persian Gulf," said Heidar Honarian Mojarad, the Commander of the IRGC Navy's second region.

Mojarad noted that amid the rising tensions in the Middle East, Iran is closely monitoring the moves of the United States and Israel and is set to respond rapidly to any acts of aggression.

"We are closely monitoring every move of the adversaries. If they should make any strategic miscalculations or any acts of aggression to the territory and territorial sea of Iran, they will be met with Iran's resolute and strong responses," he said.

The spillover of the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict has been driving up tensions in the nearby region and the confrontation between Iran and Israel has added more uncertainty to the tense situation.

On the same occasion, Iranian officials stressed again that the United States and Israel are the main factors behind regional unrest and Iran is committed to safeguarding national security and is ready to respond to any threats from the adversaries.

The Persian Gulf National Day is an official holiday in Iran observed on the 10th day of Ordibehesht, the second month in the Iranian calendar. This usually coincides with April 29 or 30 of the Gregorian calendar. The purpose of this holiday is to celebrate the history, name, and significance of the Persian Gulf. The holiday commemorates the day that Iran expelled Western colonizers from its southern waters in the 17th century.

Mainland says Lai sends "dangerous signal" in speech as Taiwan's new leader

2024-05-21 03:02 Last Updated At：03:17

A Chinese mainland spokesperson said Lai Ching-te has sent "a dangerous signal" of seeking "Taiwan independence" and making provocations to undermine cross-Strait peace and stability in his speech upon assuming the role of Taiwan region's new leader on Monday.

Chen Binhua, a spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, described Lai's speech as one that stubbornly followed the "Taiwan independence" stance, wantonly advocated separatism, incited cross-Strait confrontation and sought independence by relying on foreign support and by force.

Chen said the mainstream public aspiration on the island is for peace and development, instead of war and recession, while Lai has ignored the public opinion, exposing his nature of being "a worker for Taiwan independence."

The current complex and grave situation across the Strait is rooted in the fact that the Democratic Progressive Party has stubbornly stuck to the separatist stance of "Taiwan independence," rejected the 1992 Consensus that embodies the one-China principle, and kept colluding with external forces to make provocations of seeking "Taiwan independence," Chen said.

Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, said Chen, stressing that "Taiwan independence" and peace across the Strait are incompatible as fire and water.

"We have firm determination to resolve the Taiwan question and realize national reunification; we have strong capabilities to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity; and we will take resolute actions to fight separatist activities seeking 'Taiwan independence' and external interference," he said.

"We will never tolerate any 'Taiwan independence' separatist acts in any form," said Chen.

China must and will be reunified, Chen stressed. No matter how the situation on the island changes and who assumes the regional leader, it will not change the fact that both sides of the Strait belong to one China, or impede the historical trend of national reunification, he said.

"We will fully implement the Party's overall policy for resolving the Taiwan question in the new era, unswervingly uphold the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, work together with Taiwan compatriots to promote the peaceful development of cross-Strait relations and cross-Strait integrated development, and resolutely advance the reunification of the motherland," said Chen.