In addition to its developing relationships with #China, Iran is building new alliances with Putin and Russia
Two Iranian ships, the Sahand and Makran have been on an epic voyage since late May.
By SETH J. FRANTZMAN
JULY 24, 2021 17:25
Iranian warships are seen during a joint naval exercise with Russian navy in the Indian Ocean, Iran February 16, 2021. Picture taken February 16, 2021.
(photo credit: IRANIAN ARMY/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)
Iran’s Fars News reports that an Iranian ship called the Sahand, which has been on a journey of over 12,000 nautical miles, will arrive in Russia’s port of St. Petersburg for a unique visit.
The ship may take part in a naval parade and the head of Iran’s navy Hossein Khanzadi is travelling to Russia for the special arrival of the ship.
The Sahand and an accompanying vessel, the Makran, have been on an epic voyage since late May. They passed around southern Africa in June and many assumed they might go to the Caribbean where Iran has friends in Venezuela and Cuba.
However, they then pivoted toward the UK, passing Denmark to enter the Baltic Sea. Now reports say that they are arriving in Russia and that the Iranian naval chief will travel to Russia at the official invitation of Russia’s defense minister. Russian media hasn’t reported as much about this, but Iran’s Fars has reported it.
According to this report, the native Iranian destroyer Sahand has already arrived in the Russian port of St. Petersburg and is scheduled to participate in the ceremony as a representative of the navy alongside the Russian fleet, Fars News says.
The Makran, which has supported the Sahand destroyer in this long journey, will stop at the beginning of the Volga Canal due to the limitations of the naval parade site, including the shallow depth and size of this floating unit, Iran’s media says.
“It is worth mentioning that the big naval parade of the Russian Navy will start tomorrow on the occasion of the anniversary of the formation of this force, and representatives of some countries will also be present.”
Sending its ships so far is extraordinary and an important symbol for Iran whose navy has been neglected over the years and has seen many accidents and failures.
USNI News, which covers naval issues, noted this weekend that “Iran’s largest warship is now in the Baltic Sea – a first for the Iranian Navy – according to photos from ship spotters provided to USNI News. Oil-tanker-turned-warship IRINS Makran transited the Great Belt early Thursday morning entering the Baltic Sea under escort by Royal Danish Navy patrol vessels.” The Great Belt is defined as the largest of the three Danish Straits that connect the Baltic Sea to the Kattegat strait and Atlantic Ocean.
Many online commentators have taken an interest in following the progress of the ships and gathering details on sightings of the ships, as they passed through the English Channel last week. It is unclear where the ships will go next, or if they will take on supplies in Russia or even need repairs, as the vessels have begun rusting during the long voyage.
