The commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy stated that Iranian naval forces have so far seized 35 ships for violations of maritime law in the waters of the country�s southern coasts.

Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said, �Iran does not seize ships for no reason. For years, the Persian Gulf has become a safe route, and the Strait of Hormuz is under our surveillance.�

In recent weeks, Iranian naval forces have impounded three ships off the country�s southern coast for their breaches of shipping safety law, with the US claiming that the moves are �illegal� and �endanger� shipping safety.

Iran dismisses the claims as baseless, saying the vessel seizures are in fact meant to consolidate the maritime law.

Earlier, the commander had said that the IRGC Navy is at its highest level of preparedness and has complete control over the Persian Gulf.

The movement of enemy vessels in the Persian Gulf is always under the surveillance of the IRGC Navy, Tangsiri had said, adding that the Persian Gulf is in complete security.

Stressing that important advanced military equipment is domestically designed and built in Iran, the IRGC Navy commander added that significant progress has been made in this regard.

"With such equipment and capable forces, the preparedness level of the armed forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran is increasing day by day."