Participation in Russia’s Naval Parade Signals Deepening of Relations

Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi said participation of the Iranian naval fleet in Russia’s parade is a sign of deepening relations between the two countries.
Khanzadi made the remarks on Monday in a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov, in Moscow.
“The participation of Iranian navy ships in Russia’s Navy Day parade in Saint Petersburg is a sign of expansion of cooperation between Tehran and Moscow,” Khanzadi was quoted by IRNA as saying.
“When military cooperation is promoted to this level, it plays a role because it determines the global situation.”
Khanzadi said the Iranian Navy ships, which included Sahand destroyer and Makran support ship, did not call even in a single port along their way in international waters, and headed straight for Russia.
Yevmenov said the crew of the Iranian ships showed they fully enjoyed combat readiness and could operate anywhere in the oceans at any moment.
The Russian commander invited the Iranian Navy to attend various ceremonies in his country.
Khanzadi had earlier hailed as “a historic event” the presence of Iranian Navy destroyer Sahand and accompanying support vessel Makran in the parade in the Gulf of Finland and St. Petersburg waters.