29 Mar 2024
Thursday 4 August 2016 - 14:55
Story Code : 225692

From Caspian Sea to Central Asia: Iran, Russia mull joint war games

Russia and Iran have agreed to hold joint military exercises, the newspaper Izvestia wrote, citing Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu who had earlier met with General Vali Madani, who leads the Iranian delegation at the International War Games 2016 now underway in Russia and Kazakhstan.


In an interview withSputnik, political analyst and Tehran University Professor, Jahangir Karami, elaborated onthe significance and scope ofthe upcoming drill.


Our countries have a long history ofjoint military exercises. Last year we had a joint naval drill inthe Caspian Sea and another one inthe Mediterranean that also involved Syrian naval units. These joint exercises are vitally important inview ofour shared interest inmaintaining stability and security and infighting terrorists invarious parts ofthe globe, Dr. Karami said.

He added that the upcoming drill would add a new dimension tothe military cooperation betweenthe Islamic Republic and Russia and would ensure a better collective response toshared threats.

He also mentioned important agreements onthe delineation ofthe Caspian seabed and a security accord signed inBaku onimproving the combat readiness bythe naval forces ofthe Caspian states inthe face ofcommon threats and challenges.

Thats why I expect joint naval drills also withAzerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, Jahangir Karami noted.

Afifeh Abedi, a leading expert onEurasian affairs atthe Center forStrategic Studies inTehran, also spoke aboutthe importance ofa close defense partnership betweenIran and Russia.
Joint military exercises are a big step forward inrelations betweenour two countries, especially given our geopolitical closeness and the community ofour strategic interests, she said adding that joint military exercises were making the participating countries stronger against ill-wishers who always meddle withour regional affairs.


She also mentioned the two countries shared political interests inthe Caucasus, the Missile East and inCentral Asia especially now that some world powers are trying toeconomically undermine Russia and Iran.
The emergence ofDaesh has showed everyone the danger posed bythis terrorist group, the new threats no one can even forecast. Hence the importance ofthe close military cooperation betweenour countries that ensures stability and security inthe region, Dr. Abedi emphasized.
Russia is currently hosting the International Army Games, which kicked offon July 30. The games feature competitions in23 events.


A total of121 teams from19 countries are taking part inthe Games, monitored byobservers from11 countries.

By Sputnik News
https://theiranproject.com/vdcf1td00w6d0va.r7iw.html
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