Russian War Ships Dock at the Southern Iranian Port of Bandar Abbass, on the Persian Gulf.

Department One of the Iranian Navy, which is hosting the Russian destroyer, announced the arrival of the vessel via a press release.  Vice-Admiral Hossein Azad, commander of Iran’s First Fleet, said on Wednesday: “The Russian Navy’s Udaloy-class destroyer Marshal Shaposhnikov (BPK 543) has docked at Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, on the Persian Gulf. The visit by the anti-submarine ship (nicknamed “submarine chaser”) is the first by a Soviet/Russian Navy ship to an Iranian port in more than 40 years. “Marshal Shaposhnikov, a Russian Udaloy-class destroyer, has docked at this port with the aim of strengthening military ties between Iran and Russia.” He added: “During this visit we plan on announcing follow-up events that will be announced at a later date.”

Russia does not have the military presence that the United States, France and Britain enjoy with their respective bases in the region. Click the photo below to enlarge it.