UAE welcomes Iran naval delegation & ships in first such visit: What we know

A delegation of Iranian military ships and officers were welcomed by their Emirati counterparts on Monday evening, marking the start of a first-ever visit by Iran’s naval forces to the Gulf state.

The United Arab Emirates’ Defense Ministry said that four Iranian naval vessels arrived at the Port of Khalid in Sharjah for a three-day visit. Ships from the UAE navy and national guard escorted the Iranian delegation to shore, the ministry said.

Iran’s official Islamic Republic News Agency reported on Tuesday that a welcome ceremony was held for the Iranian personnel the night prior. Iran’s ambassador to the UAE, Reza Ameri, and an unnamed Emirati Defense Ministry official were among those in attendance, per the agency.

Rear Adm. Alireza Tangsiri of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps navy said on Monday that ships from both the IRGC and the Iranian navy would be dispatched to the UAE for the unprecedented visit. The IRGC and the Iranian army both have naval forces.