MOSCOW. Oct 23 (Interfax) - A group of Iranian Navy warships has arrived at the Caspian Flotilla base for an unofficial visit, a spokesperson for the Southern Military District said.
"In the Caspian Sea, a squadron of Iranian Navy warships consisting of the Damavand frigate and Paykan missile boat was welcomed by a squadron of Flotilla ships comprised of the Tatarstan missile ship and Stupinets missile boat. These craft accompanied the Iranian sailors to the port of Makhachkala, the base of Caspian Flotilla ships, and moored at the pier," Southern Military District spokesman Vadim Astafyev told Interfax on Friday.
During the visit, the Iranian ships' commanders will meet with their Caspian Flotilla counterparts and Dagestani leaders, the spokesman said. The Iranian ship crews will also tour local places of interest and cultural sites in Dagestan.
"The Russian and Iranian sailors will additionally exchange visits, during which the [Iranian] guests will visit the Dagestan missile boat, while the Russian crew will assess the working and leisure conditions on board the Damavand," Astafyev said.
This is already the Iranian Navy's second visit to a Russian naval base this year, with the first one in March, he recalled.