Chinese Flotilla En Route to Iran

The Chinese flotilla, comprised of two combat warships, a logistical vessel and a helicopter, is going to berth at Iran’s southern port city of Bandar Abbas on Thursday.

The Chinese naval flotilla had been staying at Pakistan’s Karachi for a training program before deployment to Iran.

Iran’s Navy and the People's Liberation Army Navy (Chinese Navy) have intensified cooperation in recent years.

In September 2014, a Chinese flotilla of warships docked in Bandar Abbas and held a joint naval exercise with Iran.

Later in October that year, Iran’s Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari visited China’s eastern port city of Qingdao with a high-ranking team and held talks with Chinese military officials.

Also in December 2015, members of a high-ranking naval delegation from China visited Iran for talks.