Iran expands regional, bilateral defence ties at Caspian Sea Naval Commanders Summit

Commander of Iran's Navy Shahram Irani in St. Petersburg, Russia 6 October 2025
IRNA

The Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani is currently in Russia to participate in the meeting of the Caspian Sea Naval Chiefs taking place in St Petersburg.

Defence Minister Brigadier General Aziz Nasirzadeh also visited neighbouring Türkiye last week where discussions focused on discussed bilateral defence ties and regional developments.

Both events appear to suggest that Tehran is building up its readiness for potential confrontation in the wake of the 12-day war by Israel and the United States earlier in June.

Admiral Irani is scheduled to meet his counterparts from the Caspian Sea littoral states on bilateral issues of interest in addition to exchanging views with them on multilateral cooperation.

According to the IRNA news agency, the Iranian Navy commander will also pay a visit to Russia’s naval bases in the Gulf of Finland, the lead frigate Admiral Grigorovich, and the Central Naval Museum.

IRNA

His visit comes as the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Treaty between Iran and Russia kicked off last Thursday and will be in force for 20 years. It lays down enhanced cooperation between Tehran and Moscow in bilateral fields as well as within regional and international groups.

Prior to its enforcement, the Iranian and Russian navies have maintained close relations. Their joint hybrid exercise, the Caspian Sea Search and Rescue Exercise 2025 was hosted by Iran last July under the slogan Together for a Safe and Secure Caspian Sea.

And according to the New York-based news magazine Newsweek citing alleged leaks from Rostec, Russia’s state defence conglomerate, Iran may be preparing to purchase 48 Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets in a landmark deal with Moscow.

The reported upgrading to modern Su-35 fighters is expected to drastically modernize Tehran’s air force and contribute to its might to deter attacks and defend key facilities following joint strikes by Israel and the United States on its nuclear sites in June.  

As well as strengthening relations with Moscow, Tehran has signed a comprehensive document on cooperation with Beijing valid for 25 years.

Iran’s Navy held the Seventh Maritime Security Belt Naval Exercise in March in the northern Indian Ocean, involving naval units from the Army and the revolutionary force IRGC, as well as warships from Russia and China, and observers from regional countries.

Tags