WANA (Feb 21) – Admiral Shahram Irani, commander of the Iranian Navy (IRIN), held meetings with senior naval leaders from several countries on the sidelines of the Milan 2026 International Naval Exercise in Visakhapatnam, India.

 

During separate discussions, Admiral Irani met with Admiral Htein Win, commander of the Myanmar Navy; Admiral Alexander Alekseevich Moiseyev, commander of the Russian Navy; and Admiral Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Ghraibi, commander of the Saudi Arabian Navy, to explore ways to strengthen bilateral and multilateral maritime cooperation.

 

The officials emphasized the strategic role of the seas in economic development and sustainable security. They highlighted the importance of expanding professional interactions among navies, exchanging training delegations, conducting joint exercises, and leveraging each other’s technical and operational capabilities.

Meeting of the Commanders of the Iranian and Russian Navies

Meeting of the Commanders of the Iranian and Russian Navies. Social media/ WANA News Agency

Key discussion topics included countering piracy, ensuring the security of maritime supply lines, maritime search and rescue operations, and crisis management at sea.

 

Admiral Irani underscored Iran’s commitment to collective security and regional cooperation, describing multinational exercises as effective platforms to build trust, enhance operational coordination, and exchange experiences among participating countries. He also stressed the Iranian Navy’s readiness to expand professional interactions and actively participate in joint maritime initiatives.

 

The Milan 2026 exercise features naval fleets, ship units, and military delegations from multiple countries and is recognized as one of the most significant multilateral naval events globally. The exercise aims to strengthen naval cooperation, improve coordination in joint operations, and enhance security in international seas and waterways.

 

Iran’s navy commander’s bilateral meetings at the exercise are part of the country’s defense and naval diplomacy, intended to develop professional engagement, increase technical and operational collaboration, and reinforce ties with the naval forces of other nations.

Meeting of the Commanders of the Iranian and Myanmar Navies

Meeting of the Commanders of the Iranian and Myanmar Navies. Social media/ WANA News Agency