Tasnim – Commander of an Iranian naval flotilla that has docked at Russia’s port city of Makhachkala on a friendly visit met with the commander of the Russian Navy’s Caspian Flotilla.

In the meeting, held on Saturday, the commander of the Iranian flotilla, Captain Sheidaee, said the purpose of the trip is “good and constructive interaction” on the basis of peace and calm.

For his part, the Russian commander hailed Iran’s remarkable progress in the naval industry by relying on local technologies and capabilities.

Russia’s Caspian Flotilla is its oldest military flotilla, stationed in the Caspian Sea.

The Iranian naval flotilla, comprised of Damavand destroyer and Darafsh missile-launching vessel, berthed at the Russian port on Thursday.

Upon its arrival, the Iranian watercraft were given a salute by three Russian Buyan M-class corvettes, including Grad Sviyazhsk, Uglich, and Velikiy Ustug.

In October 2016, a Russian flotilla of warships arrived in Iran’s Caspian Sea territorial waters near the northern port city of Bandar Anzali as part of reciprocal visits.

Iran and Russia have formed a strong alliance in recent years, with both supporting the Syrian government against foreign-backed militancy.