Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari (photo) said the country seeks to stage joint strategic drills with the Indian Navy, Fars News Agency (FNA) reported.

Sayyari announced the decision last Thursday during a meeting in Tehran with Indian Navy officials.

Speaking to reporters, Sayyari said the Iranian flotilla of warships has reached the Tanzanian shores and in less than two days will dock at the Port of Dar es Salaam.

Sayyari said the Indian Ocean is of high importance to the Islamic Republic, adding that its security is important for both Iran and the world, and that the Navy is ready to ensure its security.

He further noted that an Indian flotilla of warships will soon pay a visit to the Iranian port city of Bandar Abbas.

“Two fleets of warships of the Iranian Navy have been dispatched to the Indian Ocean on patrol missions,” Sayyari told FNA earlier.

The Iranian Navy’s destroyer, Alvand, also set sail to India late January to participate in joint maneuvers with several other Navies.

Alvand joined the naval drills along with many other destroyers near Visakhapatnam Port in Bengal. India organized the amphibious drills on the occasion of its national day, which involved several warships of various classes.

The goal was to strengthen mutual understanding between the navies regarding boosting stability, countering new challenges and threats in the sea. Alvand is one of the top Iranian destroyers which has set a record of presence in international waters.

The Iranian Navy has been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008, when Somali raiders hijacked the Iranian-chartered cargo ship, MV Delight, off the coast of Yemen.

According to UN Security Council resolutions, different countries can send their warships to the Gulf of Aden and coastal waters of Somalia against the pirates and even with prior notice to Somali government enter the territorial waters of that country in pursuit of Somali sea pirates.