ASTRAKHAN. Oct 22 (Interfax-AVN) - Joint Russia-Iran naval drills in the Caspian Sea are a useful experience and Iran is ready to partake in them again, Iranian Navy Captain 1st Rank Ahmad Reza Bakeri told reporters in Astrakhan.
"Our counterparts have already been there holding drills jointly with the Russian fleet and that was successful. Once we are given an opportunity, we will hold [the drills] again," Bakeri said.
The Iranian flotilla had no difficulties in its cruise to Astrakhan, "except for the weather conditions," he said.
"We have a good tradition of meetings: we have Iranian ships visiting us for the second time. A cultural program is in place for the Iranian sailors. We will show them the sights of the city; we will organize a tour of the Astrakhan Kremlin and museums. We will hold sport events - volleyball and mini-football tournaments among the teams of the flotilla and the Iranian Navy," Russia's Caspian Flotilla Brigade Commander, Captain 1st Rank Kirill Taranenko told reporters
It was earlier reported that a unit of Iranian Navy missile ships arrived at the port of Astrakhan on Wednesday, including the Damavand missile destroyer and two missile ships, the Paykan and the Joshan. Two of them could moor to Astrakhan's central quay. The Damavant destroyer had too big a draught and the Volga River's level was too low for it to travel.
The destroyer is staying at the entrance to the Volga-Caspian Sea canal.