An Iranian flotilla has arrived in Russia to participate in the naval parade on the occasion of Russian Navy Day.
On the invitation of the Russian Minister of Defense, Iranian Army Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi will also take part in the naval parade on the celebration of Russian Navy Day in St. Petersburg, Iranian Ambassador to Moscow Kazem Jalali said.
Khanzadi will meet with high-ranking leaders of the Russian armed services and defense ministry on the sidelines of the ceremony, Jalali added.
Describing the presence of Sahand and Makran ships in the Gulf of Finland as a historic event, the Iranian commander said that this success means opening the gates of the North Sea and Finland to the fleet of Iran.
“In this long journey, these ships entered strategic areas in the world that is unprecedented,” he said. “The Iranian ships began their journey a few months ago and now, they have reached the Gulf of Finland and the waters of St. Petersburg,” Khanzadi said in an interview upon his arrival in St. Petersburg on Saturday evening.
The Russian fleet’s 325th anniversary will be commemorated with a naval parade on the Neva River in St. Petersburg Sunday. The transit of 54 boats, including frigates from Iran, India, and Pakistan, is scheduled, according to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
On Friday, Jalali met with the Russian Deputy Minister of Defence Alexander Vasilyevich Fomin in order to discuss military and defense cooperation between the two countries.
Source: Iranian media
