Tasnim � The Iranian Navy�s 49th flotilla of warships berthed at Bangladesh�s port city of Chittagong after taking part in the world�s largest maritime exercise in the Bay of Bengal.





The Iranian flotilla, comprising Sablan destroyer and Bandar Abbas logistic-combat warship, arrived in Chittagong, a major port city and financial center in southeastern Bangladesh at the Bay of Bengal, on Saturday morning.

The visit follows the International Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise (IMMSAREX) in Bangladesh waters, held under the auspices of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).

The Iranian flotilla participated in the joint drill after sailing more than 3,800 nautical miles to reach the South Asian country.

The largest Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise, attended by military vessels from 32 countries including China and India, was held in the Bay of Bengal on November 27-28.

In recent years, Iran�s naval forces have increased their presence in high seas to secure naval routes and protect merchant vessels and oil tankers against pirates.

The Iranian Navy has also held several joint naval or rescue exercises with the other countries, such as Oman, Russia and Pakistan.