TEHRAN, Jan. 21 (UPI) -- The Iranian navy is at its highest state of readiness as it monitors patrols of foreign forces near its southern maritime borders, a commander said.
The Iranian military said it recently wrapped up naval drills from the southern port city of Bandar Abbas. Navy Rear Adm. Alireza Tangsiri said Monday that his forces were keeping a close eye on movements near its southern maritime border following the drills.
"The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy enjoys full command over all maritime borders and today we are at the highest level of readiness and might," he was quoted by state-funded broadcaster Press TV as saying.
The Iranian military last month claimed to have captured an unmanned aerial vehicle operated by the U.S. Navy in the region. The U.S. government denied the claims.
The state-funded broadcaster claimed a recent decision by the Israeli military to ground its Hermes 450 drone in Azerbaijan is in response to Iran's seizure of U.S. drones.
"Israeli officials are convinced that Iran is trying to seize their drones, currently under Azerbaijan's control," the report stated.
Iran's latest military claims follow visits to the country from members of the International Atomic Energy Agency, who left Iran last week without gaining access to the controversial Parchin military complex outside of Tehran.
