Tehran, Jul. 22, (dpa/GNA) – Iran and Russia on Monday launched joint naval exercises in the Caspian Sea, as the two powers re-affirmed their strategic partnership.

The manoeuvre is set to include tactical exercises, rescue missions and anti-piracy operations, the ISNA news agency said, quoting an Iranian navy spokesman.

A warship from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy is also due to be in operation.

No details on the length of the joint manoeuvre have been revealed.

Iran and Russia have been close allies for years, with the two countries supporting Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria.

Tehran has been accused of supplying Moscow with drones to be used in Ukraine, a charge which Iranian leaders have denied.

Iran’s newly elected President Masoud Pezeshkian, widely seen as a moderate reformist, is expected to seek closer relations with the West after high tensions in recent years.

However, the joint exercises suggest that he is not willing to sever ties with Moscow.

GNA