Iranian coast guard carrying out maneuvers in Persian Gulf

TEHRAN, May 3 (MNA) – Iranian coast guards are performing the final stage of the maneuvers, entitled Valfajr, in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of the port city of Bandar Abbas, in the southern province of Hormozgan. The initial stage of the war games was held during the second half of the previous Iranian calendar year, which ended on March 19. National Police Chief Esmaeil Ahmadi-Moqaddam and National Border Police Commander Hossein Zolfaqari arrived in Bandar Abbas on Wednesday to inspect police forces that are conducting the exercises. In the final of stage of the maneuvers, police forces are practicing rescuing ships from mock pirate attacks, freeing hostages, and preventing the smuggling of fuels and goods. Eleven fleets of speedboats, 80 units of coast guards and commandoes, 3,500 special forces, and 126 vessels, which are fitted with advanced electronic equipment, are taking part in the exercises.