![]() On Christmas Day, France's Pacific Command revealed it had made contact with the Iranian vessels after they declared their intention to pass just below the remote Marquesas Islands. "At no time has either Iranian vessel entered Australia's exclusive economic zone, nor have they transited through the Torres Strait and there has been no communication with them," a Defence spokesperson confirmed. Unlike the Chinese vessels, which aimed a high-powered laser at an RAAF surveillance plane, the Iranian warships headed towards the Philippine Sea after leaving Indonesia rather than continue eastward through Australian waters. In February last year, two Chinese warships that had also sailed past Indonesia entered Australia's EEZ in the Arafura Sea before heading out towards the Pacific Ocean via the Torres Strait. "Defence has been aware of two Iranian warships operating in the Indo-Pacific for some time." "As part of Australia's broader whole-of-government maritime border protection efforts, Defence routinely monitors maritime traffic in the vicinity of our exclusive economic zone and maritime approaches," the spokesperson said. ![]() ![]() "The NZDF will continue to monitor maritime movements the Pacific region as part of our routine operations," a statement said.Īn Australian Defence spokesperson confirmed the Iranian vessels had been monitored by them while operating in the region. Two Iranian warships have been tracked passing through the South Pacific on a global deployment aimed at demonstrating the Islamic republic's growing military power and maritime reach.ĭuring November an Iranian frigate, accompanied by a converted oil tanker, docked in Jakarta before heading to the Pacific, but at no stage did either vessel enter Australia's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).Ī New Zealand Defence Force spokesperson said they were aware of the Iranian warships in the Pacific region and the ships had not come into the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ). ![]() A handout photo made available by the Iranian Army office on January 13, 2021, shows Iran-made warship Makran in a military drill in the Gulf of Oman. ![]()
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