Caspian Sea should be a sea of peace and friendship, commander of Iranian Navy says

The countries of the Caspian Sea will not allow a foreign military presence in this region, the commander of the naval forces of Iran, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayar stated.

"Iran's naval forces will not allow the presence of naval forces of other countries in the Caspian Sea, except for the countries on the Caspian Sea. The Islamic Republic has the resources and has interests in the Caspian Sea, just like the other coastal states, and therefore should have a military force to protect its interests and access to the sea," TASS quoted him as saying.

"The Caspian Sea should be free from conflicts, instability, drug trafficking, smuggling of products and should remain a sea of peace and friendship," he stressed.