Tasnim � A top Iranian Army official highlighted the far-reaching advantages of development of Makran, a stretch of coast southeast of Iran emerging as a major naval base and commercial hub of maritime trade.

Development of Makran coasts would lead to development of the whole country, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, deputy chief of the Iranian Army for coordination, said in an address to the Defense Ministry�s Organization of Naval Industries� staff on Tuesday.

Pointing to Iran�s maritime connection with the international waters via the coasts of Makran, the commander echoed comments by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei that the Makran coasts, the Sea of Oman, and Iran�s naval presence in the region are like �treasure�.

In the Iranian month of Esfand (February and March 2019), Tehran will host a conference on sustainable development of Makran and the investment opportunities in the coastal area.

Iranian Defense Minister Brigadier General Amir Hatami has said the conference would provide a great opportunity for domestic and foreign private sector investors to know about the unique options available in the region in the oil and gas industry, transportation, tourism and urban development.

The strategic Makran region has attracted the attention of many Iranian decision-makers and military officials, particularly after Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei stressed the need for development of the region.

In 2014, in a meeting with high-ranking Navy commanders, Ayatollah Khamenei said the issue of development of the coasts of Makran is a major task and plans for that region should be carried out more rapidly.