Military leaders on Iran's naval capacities, Basij

Iranian military leaders discussed a variety of topics in a recent Aftab-e Yazd article.

Here are a few important bits:

The longest interview is that of Habibollah Sayyari, the commander of the Iranian armed forces. Sayyari speaks of the navy’s central role in current defense strategies, mentions the various areas of operation (Caspian Sea, Gulf of Oman, Straight of Hormuz, Persian Gulf), and suggests Iran’s naval dominance in those areas. To this end, Sayyari also mentions Iran’s current naval technological capabilities. He suggests that Iran will not be able to rely on its current suppliers if conflict should break out, and argues that Iran needs to manufacture its own military technology to avoid such a scenario.

Sayyari also briefly discusses the IRGC taking over command of the Gulf and Hormuz straight. He emphasizes that both navies will work together, but acknowledges the new division of security details. In this scheme, the regular navy will retain command over the Caspian and Oman Gulf, and the Guards Corps will control the Persian Gulf and Hormuz straight.

The article also has a short interview with Yahya Rahim Safavi—former IRGC commander and current military adviser to the Supreme Leader. Safavi discusses the current changes to the IRGC command structure and says that these changes are mostly aimed at strengthening the Basij force and giving it a greater role in the IRGC’s operations (something I’ve discussed before). Safavi says that the Guards increased provincial presence—through the Basij—will help them better protect the principles of the revolution.

[Yahya Rahim Safavi, top military adviser to Iran's Supreme Leader]