Iran, China to Stage Joint Naval Drill
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – As a Chinese fleet of warships berthed in Iran’s port city of Bandar Abbas on Saturday, preparations are under way for a joint naval exercise by military vessels from the Islamic Republic of Iran and China within the next few days.
It is the first time a Chinese naval fleet berths in Iran. The fleet, comprising a logistic warship and a destroyer, is planned to stay at Bandar Abbas for four days.
The upcoming joint drill will take place when the Chinese fleet makes its exit from the Iranian waters.
Iran will reportedly send a number of its destroyers, including Jamaran, to the joint exercise, which is aimed at strengthening mutual naval cooperation, exchange of information in the technical fields and partnership in the sphere of rescue and relief operations at the sea.
In a recent development, the Iranian Navy's 31st fleet of warships could rescue a Chinese container ship from a pirate attack in the Gulf of Aden.
On September 17, the Chinese freighter asked for emergency help from the Iranian fleet when it encountered with 5 pirate boats equipped with light and semi-heavy assault weapons.
Shortly after the emergency call, Iran’s “Bayandor” destroyer rushed to the scene and foiled the hijacking of the Chinese ship.
The ship had set sail from Singapore and was bound to the Saudi Arabian port city of Jeddah.
The Chinese vessel left the area without suffering any damage.
The 31st fleet, comprising Bayandor destroyer and Bandar Abbas military ship, has set sail for the high seas as part of Iran’s plans to protect the country's cargo ships and oil tankers in different shipping routes.
