TEHRAN -- Iran and Russia on Monday launched a joint naval exercise in the Caspian Sea, as the two powers re-affirmed their strategic partnership.
The ISNA news agency said, quoting an Iranian navy spokesperson, that the maneuver includes tactical exercises, rescue missions, anti-piracy operations and the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps Navy warship.
 Captain Abbas Hassani, spokesperson of the drill dubbed the relief, rescue and maritime security of the Caspian Sea 2024, (Casarex 24), said the airborne division of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, Iranian Sina-class fast attack craft Paykan (Arrow), Derafsh (Ensign) and Separ (Shield), as well as two Agusta-Bell AB-212 helicopters took part in the naval exercise.
Hassani added that a flotilla of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy, named Martyr Baseer, also participated in the maritime drill.
Russian SB45 vessel, which had entered the Iranian territorial waters the previous day, was also in attendance.
The spokesman noted that representatives from other Caspian Sea littoral states, including Azerbaijan, are monitoring various stages of the drill as observers.
During the drill, Iranian and Russian maritime and airborne units extinguished a fire on board of a commercial vessel, rescued the injured crew members, and repaired the damage caused to the ship.
Hassani noted that the operation zone was identified and located by the helicopters of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy after the burning ship called out for help.
Iranian Separ fast attack craft then dispatched nearby vessels to the area in order to put out the blaze.
The Iranian Navy commandos rappelled on the deck of the burning ship subsequently, performed relief operations, and transported the injured crew members to medical centers.
The forces participating in the exercise extinguished the fire on board afterward, and successfully towed the damaged commercial vessel to an anchorage.
Iran has staged joint naval exercises with other countries, including Oman and Pakistan, as well.
Iranian military experts and technicians have in recent years made great progress in developing and manufacturing a broad range of military equipment, making the armed forces self-sufficient in this regard. Iran has also held several military units with the aim of testing its combat preparedness in face of possible threats.
Iranian officials have repeatedly asserted that the Islamic Republic will continue to build up its defense capabilities, which are “entirely meant for the purpose of defense and will be never subject to negotiations”.