News - Russia and Iran start naval exercises in the Caspian Sea

In the Caspian Sea, Russian and Iranian ships have started rescue operations and maritime security exercises, Captain Abbas Hassani, the official representative of the exercises, told Mehr Agency. "These military exercises are taking place in the Caspian Sea for the first time at the initiative of Iran. For this purpose, yesterday the Russian ship [SB-45 - ed.] entered the territorial waters of Iran, a coordination meeting was held. Today, the water... phase of the exercise is underway," Hassani was quoted as saying. According to Mehr, the participating units will train the skills of firefighting, rescue operations and helicopter transportation, as well as shooting at air and sea targets. According to another Iranian news agency ISNA, the naval and aviation units of the Iranian Navy, including the Paykan, Jushan, Derafsh and Separ missile boats, two Agusta-Bell AB212 helicopters and a naval unit of the corps will take part in the exercise. The exercises will be conducted under the supervision of the representatives of the countries with access to the Caspian Sea.