Tasnim � Commander of an Iranian naval flotilla that has docked at Russia�s port city of Makhachkala on a friendly visit met with the commander of the Russian Navy�s Caspian Flotilla.

In the meeting, held on Saturday, the commander of the Iranian flotilla, Captain Sheidaee, said the purpose of the trip is �good and constructive interaction� on the basis of peace and calm.

For his part, the Russian commander hailed Iran�s remarkable progress in the naval industry by relying on local technologies and capabilities.

Russia�s Caspian Flotilla is its oldest military flotilla, stationed in the Caspian Sea.

The Iranian naval flotilla, comprised of Damavand destroyer and Darafsh missile-launching vessel, berthed at the Russian port on Thursday.

Upon its arrival, the Iranian watercraft were given a salute by three Russian Buyan M-class corvettes, including Grad Sviyazhsk, Uglich, and Velikiy Ustug.

In October 2016, a Russian flotilla of warships arrived in Iran�s Caspian Sea territorial waters near the northern port city of Bandar Anzali as part of reciprocal visits.

Iran and Russia have formed a strong alliance in recent years, with both supporting the Syrian government against foreign-backed militancy.