Iran Strengthens its Caspian Fleet

Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps will place their units in the Caspian Sea, which suggests that Iran has begun to attach greater importance to security in the Caspian region. As reported by the 'Fars' news agency, the Caspian Sea will be a training center, "whose task will be to prepare naval units of the Revolutionary Guards to conduct the necessary operations on the sea."

According to the same source, security in the Caspian Sea was previously provided by regular Navy and Corps detachment responsible for the Persian Gulf. However, the situation seems to have changed.

This step was taken against the background of a recent announcement of the intention of Russia and Iran to hold joint military exercises in the Caspian Sea, as well as Iran's own exercises "in order to show Iran's ability to protect the country's territorial waters."

"Soldiers of the Corps, by nature, are more daring than the usual military fleet, which could lead to tensions with other Caspian littoral states. This, of course, is particularly true of Azerbaijan and this move is aimed against this state. Iran has recently announced the discovery of new hydrocarbon deposits in the Caspian Sea, and I suspect it will explain strengthening the Navy with a need to protect its economic interests. This is a tactical move by Tehran to exert pressure on Baku and, in general, to get more leverage in the Caspian Sea for the future," said Eurasianet expert, Alex Vatanka. -02D-