Iran, Russia to Hold Joint Naval Drill

Speaking at a press conference in Tehran on Monday, Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi briefed reporters on the results of his recent visit to China and meetings with senior foreign commanders attending the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese navy.

Pointing to the negotiations with Russian officials on “technical and operational” cooperation between the naval forces of the two countries, Khanzadi said the Iranian Navy’s fleet in the southern waters is going to stage a joint war game with Russia’s Navy in the current Iranian year, which began on March 21.

In comments earlier this month, Khanzadi had unveiled plans for a joint naval exercise of the Indian Ocean littoral countries, saying the Iranian Navy will have the pivotal role in the drill.

The Iranian Navy has held several joint exercises with neighboring countries in recent years.