2 Russian warships dock in Iran for joint naval exercises

Two Russian warships have docked in northern Iran “carrying a message of ‘peace and friendship,’” and preparing for naval training exercises with the Islamic Republic, the Washington Free Beacon reported.

 

The vessels docked in Iran’s Anzali port Sunday in anticipation of “joint naval exercises during the three-day stay,” according to a Persian-language report in Iran’s state-controlled Fars News Agency. The Free Beacon also cited Persian-language reports translated by the CIA’s Open Source Center.

 

“The [Russian] warships, Volgodonsk and Makhachkala docked in Anzali Port [near the Caspian Sea], in the fourth naval zone, on the afternoon of 9 August,” the Fars report said.

 

The Russian fleet commander is set to hold meetings with “local political and military officials” in Iran’s northern provinces, according to Fars. The sailors were “welcomed by Iranian naval commanders and staff,” the report said.

 

Russia’s ambassador to Tehran, Levan Jagarian, reportedly attended the docking ceremony and called for “for boosting mutual ties between the two countries in various fields.” The two nations went on to say that among the priorities of the visit is “expanding bilateral economic, political, and military cooperation.”

 

Read More: 2 Russian warships dock in Iran for joint naval exercises | Fox News