China and Iran Deepening Naval Ties, Iran Calls for Bilateral Blue Water Exercise

Last week’s meeting between the heads of the Iranian Navy and the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) in Beijing are the latest in a bilateral campaign to increase military to military cooperation and a recognition of growing Chinese interests in the Middle East.

On Oct. 23, Iranian Rear Adm. Habibollah Sayyari met PLAN Adm. Wu Shengli in Beijing, “to further pragmatic cooperation and strengthen military-to-military ties,” Sayyari said, according to Iranian state controlled PressTV.

Sayyari also met with Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan to discuss enhanced naval cooperation.

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