Tehran, Iran, May 25
By Mehdi Sepahvand - Trend:
Iran and India are going to stage joint naval drills on May 27, Iranian Navy Commander Habibollah Sayyari said.
"We will be host to an Indian fleet for three days," he stated, Mehr news agency reported May 25.
The commander said the drills will be held east of the Strait of Hurmuz.
"We have plans to expand our presence at international waters and hope to make it to the Atlantic Ocean in year," Sayyari underlined.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategic shipping canals in the world. About 20 pecent of the world's petroleum (about 35 percent of the petroleum traded by sea) passes through the strait, making it a highly important strategic location for international trade.