Leader hails commander, staff of Iran’s 86th Naval Fleet

Ayatollah Khamenei hailed the successful mission of the flotilla that completed 8-month cruise around the world.

The Leader said,” You ended the monopoly of the superpowers, particularly the US, on free waters and oceans and you proved that the free waters belong to all.”

Ayatollah Khamenei stressed importance of shipping security and hailed the naval fleet for the cruise round the world in the mission “360-Degree”.

Ayatollah Khamenei said what the flotilla did was a great accomplishment, which only a few navies in the world can do.

The mission of '360 degrees' was an exceptional mission that had not happened in the history of our country's seafaring, he said.

"Your presence in remote areas, in the farthest parts of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, contributed to the country's security," Ayatollah Khamenei noted.

He further said, "You have shown that the sea belongs to everyone," stressing that the safety of shipping and maritime transport must be ensured for all countries.

Today, the Americans are attacking oil tankers, and helping maritime smuggling gangs, he said, criticizing that this is their big offense, this is done in the region.

The flotilla completed a lengthy cruise around the world and sailed across the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans without needing assistance from land for the first time in Iran’s naval history.

It departed from Bandar Abbas, a port city on the Persian Gulf and finally anchored at Oman’s Salalah harbor on the 236th day of its journey.

The flotilla traveled 63,000 kilometers and four times crossed the equator.