Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari and a delegation from the General Staff Department of the People’s Liberation Army of China discussed plans for boosting maritime cooperation, including joint naval exercises.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting in Tehran on Sunday, Sayyari said they conferred on a range of issues, such as exchanging military instructors and cadets, Tasnim News Agency reported.
“Talks were also held on technical expertise concerning the repair, maintenance and overhaul of vessels and submarines,” he said.
“We also discussed (holding joint) rescue and relief, tactical and operational war games.”
According to Sayyari, another topic that both sides expressed interest in was the fight against piracy.
He said necessary coordination has been made for combating pirates in the Gulf of Aden.
Since Nov. 2008, the Iranian Navy has conducted anti-piracy missions in the Gulf of Aden to protect the country’s vessels against pirate attacks.
Under the terms of several UN Security Council resolutions, nations can deploy warships to the Gulf of Aden and coastal waters of Somalia to protect their vessels against pirates.
