IRGC Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri announced that the “IRGC Navy has been notified to be present in the Indian Ocean permanently… [the] IRGC is looking to establish a permanent base in the Indian Ocean by the end of the current Iranian year [ie, March 2021]”. He went on to state that “we will provide a better platform for more special presence of fishermen and industrial fishing units in the oceans by providing security and establishing a permanent base in the Indian Ocean… the IRGC’s presence will be a powerful and strong presence”.