Moscow, SAEDNEWS: Khanzadi made the remarks upon his arrival in St. Petersburg on Saturday, where he was due to join the annual parade commemorating Russian Navy Day, PressTV reported.
Iranian Navy destroyer Sahand and accompanying support vessel Makran have already arrived in the Russian port city to join the parade.
Khanzadi said that the two Iranian ships, which began their voyage a few months ago, have now reached the Gulf of Finland and St. Petersburg waters.
“In this long voyage, these ships entered the world’s strategic areas, something that is unprecedented,” he added.
The Gulf of Finland extends between Finland to the north and Estonia to the south, to Saint Petersburg in Russia to the east, where the Neva River drains into it.
The presence of Sahand and Makran in the Gulf of Finland is “a historic event,” Khanzadi said. "This success means the opening of the gates of the North Sea and Finland to the fleet of the Islamic Republic of Iran Army.”
The Iranian Navy chief also said that during his trip, he would meet with high-ranking Russian military and defense officials as well as his counterparts from the countries participating in the Russian naval parade.
Khanzadi has traveled to Russia at the invitation of Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
On Sunday, the Russian Navy will celebrate its 325th anniversary with the parade of “54 ships, including frigates from India, Iran and Pakistan, and more than 4,000 military personnel,” according to Shoigu (Source: Tasnim).
Iranian Navy vessels to attend Russia's Navy Day parades
