Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 24
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Iran and Russia will hold naval drill in the Caspian Sea, Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari said.
An Iranian Navy fleet has docked at the southern Russian port city of Astrakhan, Sayyari said, adding the two countries are scheduled to launch a one-day naval drill.
The Iranian fleet in Astrakhan carries a message of peace and friendship, the Iranian commander said, Fars news agency reported.
He further said that the Islamic Republic has interests and natural reserves in the Caspian Sea and should maintain its authority in the sea.
Sayyari underlined that the Caspian-littoral countries can protect the security in the Caspian Sea through mutual cooperation.
Iran's navy is able to safeguard security in the Caspian Sea and prevent the military presence of foreign states in the sea, the Iranian commander added.
The Islamic Republic's naval fleet, comprised of Damavand destroyer and two missile-armed vessels, dubbed Peykan and Joshan, anchored in Astrakhan on Oct. 22 after three days of sailing.
The Iranian fleet will later leave Astrakhan for the port city of Baku in Azerbaijan.
This has been the second trip of an Iranian naval fleet to Russia since 2013. Iran's Navy sent two warships to Russia in June 2013 to consolidate maritime relations between Tehran and Moscow.
Last August, two Russian warships - Volgodonsk and Mahachkala - also arrived in the northern Iranian port city of Anzali for a three-day stay with around 130 personnel on board in a bid to boost friendly maritime ties between the two countries.
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