Iran intends to station warships in the Panama Canal, the latest step in its ongoing effort to establish a foothold in Latin America and penetrate the United States’ backyard.
Wednesday, the commander of the Iranian Navy, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, unveiled the plans and stated they would be implemented later this year. Iran’s navy has never sailed in the Pacific Ocean prior to their participation in the Panama Canal.
This is the latest step in Iran’s ongoing push to strengthen its relationships in Latin America, which has recently seen the signing of treaties with anti-US Venezuelan ruler Nicolas Maduro, Nicaragua, and the development of increasingly cordial relations with Bolivia.
According to experts, Iran’s actions are aimed to challenge the United States and demonstrate its ability to establish a military presence within striking distance of American land. This comes amid rising tensions between the two countries.
An Iranian tank is deployed to a beach from an Iranian Navy amphibious vessel.
Admiral Irani stated during a ceremony in Tehran that the navy’s plans for the Panama Canal were designed to’strengthen our marine presence in international waters.’
Irani stated, “The army navy has been present in all strategic straits in the world to date, with the exception of two, and we will be present in one of these straits this year.” “We intend to be present at the Panama Canal,” ‘Today we must enhance our marine presence in international waters, and there is no scientific impediment to growth in this field,’ he stated, as reported by Iranian official media.
The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean. It is approximately 2,500 miles from the southernmost border of the United States.
Wednesday, the head of Iran’s Navy, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, disclosed the Panama Canal plans and claimed they will be implemented later this year.
The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean. It is approximately 2,500 kilometers from the southernmost United States border.
How Large is the Iranian Navy?
The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy operates around 140 warships.
Its combat fleet consists of frigates, corvettes, submarines, and several quick attack ships.
There are a multitude of patrol boats as well as amphibious vessels that can land men and vehicles on land.
In addition, it possesses a large number of planes and support and auxiliary vessels.
The Navy has approximately 18,000 enlisted sailors and military members.
Iran’s plans for the Panama Canal come days after the third anniversary of the assignation of the prominent Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in a targeted drone strike by the US on January 3, 2020.
Speaking to a crowd in Tehran last week, President Raisi vowed vengeance against the US.
‘We have not and will not forget the blood of martyr Soleimani,’ he said. ‘The Americans must know that revenge for martyr Soleimani’s blood is certain, and the murderers and perpetrators will have no easy sleep.’
The remarks were just the latest jab in a period of ever-increasing tensions between the two nations.
In Latin America, Iran and the US sparred last summer after a large Venezuelan cargo plane with ties to Iran and terror groups was grounded in Argentina after the nation refused to refuel the plane in accordance with US sanctions.
The plane was found to be crewed by a number of Iranians, and the United States said it believed the plane was a part of an Iranian intelligence operation in the area. Iran and Venezuela both denied those allegations.
Iran has reportedly also been targeting current and former US government officials, and journalists, and activists deemed threats to its regime, according to the Washington Post.
One of those plots was to kidnap former national security adviser John Bolton in Washington DC last year, but it was foiled by security agencies.
A ship cruises down the Panama Canal. The route is critical to global commerce
Iranian Navy soldiers stationed on a beach after being deployed from an amphibious landing vessel
An Iranian warship sailing near the Persian Gulf. The fleet will soon enter the Pacific Ocean for the first time
Latin American focused national security analyst for the Center for a Secure Free Society think tank Joseph Humire said Iran’s plans for Panama are part of its ongoing campaign to install itself in the US’ backyard.
‘This is what Iran has been building in Latin America for the past 30 or 40 years’ by establishing embassies and bilateral agreements with a host of nations, Humire said, according to The Washington Free Beacon.
He said Iran’s intent ‘has always been to have a military presence in Latin America, so it’s not surprising at all for its navy to announce it’s going to make moves on the Panama Canal.’
‘This is a tremendous escalation if it is to happen,’ he added. ‘Many people may discount Iran in terms of its capabilities, but I would not discount it because they have been building to this for a very long time.’
Humire noted Iran’s plans have also long included establishing embassies across the region, and signing treaties to strengthen ties with sympathetically anti-American nations.
Venezuelan President Maduro and Iranian President Raisi shake hands in Tehran last June
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (right) and Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (left) shake hands in Venezuela in August
Among those efforts in Latin America is a prominent relationship Iran has been building with Venezuela, which is currently under the rule of President Maduro, who many have likened to a dictator and has long been an adversary of the United States.
Just last June, Iran and Venezuela signed a 20-year strategic cooperation agreement which officially solidified economic ties between the two nations which have been heavily sanctioned by the US.
Maduro travelled to Iran to sign the agreement in person with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi.
Iranian ships have also frequently docked in ports along Venezuela coasts in recent years, demonstrating its ability to station warships across the Gulf of Mexico from the US.
A Venezuelan cargo plane with ties to Iran and terror groups was grounded in Argentina after the nation refused to refuel the plane in accordance with US sanctions
Other forays into Latin America from Iran include a similar treaty signed with Nicaragua just last month. Iranian diplomates called the plan a ‘new and strategic’ cooperation treaty, according to the Tehran Times.
In August, Iran’s Vice President Mohammad Hosseini travelled to Colombia to attend the inauguration of President Gustavo Petro, who has been outspokenly critical of US policies.
During that trip, Hosseini also met with Brazilian Foreign Minister Carlos Alberto Franco Franca, who said ‘We are determined to shore up our relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran in different areas, including political and economic areas,’ according to Iran Press Agency.
And last fall, Bolivian officials notably voiced support for Iran even as most of the world condemned its violent response to mass protests across the nation.
Bolivian ambassador to Iran, Romina Pérez, called Iran Bolivia’s brother and said the South American country ‘condemns the disturbances in Iran perpetrated by British and American Zionists. We are sure these problems will be resolved with the understanding of the dear leader of Iran