Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said his forces are planning a voyage to the South Pole, Fars news agency reported.

"We have the capability to hoist Iran's flag in different regions from the North Pole to the South Pole," Sayyari said during a TV program.

"We have had coordination with the Oceanography Organization, and we are planning presence near the Antarctica," the commander said.

Last month, Managing-Director of Iran's National Institute for Oceanography (INIO) Vahid Chegini said the country is building an oceangoing research vessel to conduct exploratory missions in the South Pole.