Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Hossein Khanzadi, who visited Moscow late July, said his country and Russia have agreed to hold a joint naval exercise in international waters “in the near future”.

Khanzadi, who attended the Russian Navy Day celebrations in Saint Petersburg, Russia, made the announcement, saying Iran and Russia have reached an agreement on holding the drills in the Northern areas of Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea by the end of year.

 Heading a military delegation, Khanzadi participated in the Russian Navy Day celebrations, attended by representatives of 20 countries in Saint Petersburg on 28 July, according to Fars News Agency (FNA).

 Elaborating on the outcome of his trip to Russia, Khanzadi said an agreement was signed with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation on behalf of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

 The Iranian Navy Chief further noted that the agreement was the first of its kind between Tehran and Moscow and aimed to boost military cooperation between the two countries particularly with regard to naval forces.

 Back in late April, Khanzadi unveiled plans for a joint naval drill with Russia in coming months.

 On Saturday, upon arrival in Saint Petersburg, Khanzadi said that the establishment of security in international waterways and seas will be guaranteed through cooperation between Tehran and Moscow’s naval forces.

 “Military and naval cooperation between Iran and Russia guarantees security in the world's waterways more than ever and this cooperation is increasing at the strategic level,” he highlighted.

 “The two countries enjoy highly powerful navies at the regional and trans-regional levels and definitely, cooperation between the two forces will benefit both countries,” he added.