Iran ready to participate in joint military drills with Russia

ASTRAKHAN, October 21. /TASS/. Naval drills between Iran and Russia are useful to exchange experience and the Islamic Republic is ready to take part in military exercises again if an offer is received, an Iranian naval group commander said on Wednesday.

A group of Iranian navy ships arrived in Astrakhan in south Russia on a friendly visit on Wednesday.

"Last time, we held exercises together with the Russian navy and this was a successful event," said Captain 1st Rank Ahmad Reza Bakeri, who leads the Iranian squadron that has arrived in Astrakhan.

"If there is a possibility, we’ll hold the drills once again. These are the drills for the exchange of experience," Bakeri said.

The Iranian squadron sailed through the Caspian Sea without any complexities and adjustments were made only due to specific weather conditions, he added.

In turn, Caspian Flotilla Brigade Commander Captain 1st Rank Kirill Taranenko said the Iranian ships had arrived in Astrakhan for the second time.

http://tass.ru/en/defense/830553