Iran plans naval drills with Russia in Caspian Sea
(Baonghean.vn) - On January 6, the semi-official Mehr news agency quoted the commander of Iran's naval forces, Major General Hossein Khanzadi, as saying that Iran and Russia are preparing to conduct joint maritime exercises in the Caspian Sea, including rescue and anti-piracy drills.
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| Iranian military participates in drills. Photo: AP |
"Tactical, rescue and anti-piracy exercises between the Iranian and Russian naval forces are being planned and will be carried out in the near future," Rear Admiral Khanzadi said.
Major General Khanzadi reiterated Iran's opposition to any military presence in the Caspian Sea by any country from outside the region. "All countries surrounding the Caspian Sea region have the same approach," Khanzadi was quoted as saying by Mehr news agency.
Iran and Russia have conducted several naval exercises in the Caspian Sea, including in 2015 and 2017. Iran and Russia have close ties, notably in Syria, where both Tehran and Moscow support President Bashar al-Assad in the war in that Arab country.
Last year, Russia affirmed its commitment to promoting relations with Iran, despite the US decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal and re-impose sanctions on the Islamic Republic./.
