Iran considers naval bases in Yemen, Syria

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran's chief of staff of the armed forces said Saturday that Tehran may be interested in setting up naval bases in Syria and Yemen, the semi-official Tasnim reported.

The report by Tasnim, close to military, quoted Gen. Mohammad Hossein Bagheri as saying, "Maybe, at some point, we will need bases on the shores of Yemen and Syria."

He said, "Having naval bases in remote distances is not less than nuclear power. It is 10 times more important and creates deterrence."

Gen. Bagheri said setting up naval platforms off the shores of those countries requires "infrastructures there first."

He said Iran is also able to set up permanent platforms for military purposes in the Persian Gulf and roving ones in other places.

Gen. Bagheri did not elaborate but said, "When two thirds of the world's population lives near shores and the world economy depends on the sea, we have to take measures. Though there is a need for the time for these (steps)."

This is the first time an Iranian military official has spoken of setting up naval bases in another country in the region.

No Middle Eastern country is known to have a formal naval base in another Mideast country.

Iran regularly sends its warships to the Gulf of Aden to fight piracy.

It also conducts occasional naval maneuvers in the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.

Iran's warships regularly visit seaports of friendly countries, including a recent visit to the South African port of Durban.

Iran's Supreme Leader has repeatedly supported increasing the power of the country's navy, last year describing the sea as the scene of "powerful confrontation with enemies," saying the future of power is based on powerful presence in the seas.

The country has dozens of warships and light and Kilo-class submarines. It has hundreds of speed boats, too, four of which harassed a U.S. warship earlier this year.

Iran is helping the Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen and the Syrian government in their fight against the extremist Islamic State group.