Navy commander: Iran prepared to host Chinese fleets of warships

Iranian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari thanked China for having hosted an Iranian fleet in recent weeks, and voiced the Navy's preparedness to host Chinese warships, in return.Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the military parades held in Tehran on the occasion of the National Army Day, Sayyari pointed to the recent visit to a Chinese port by the Iranian Navy's 24th fleet of warships and lauded China's naval cooperation with Iran."We also announce that the Navy of the Islamic Republic of Iran's Army is ready to host Chinese fleets as well," Sayyari stated on Thursday.The Navy's 24th fleet of warships docked in Southern Iran earlier this month after successfully conducting a 72-day mission in international waters.The Iranian flotilla comprised of Khark chopper carrier and Sabalan destroyer and was on a mission to the Pacific Ocean since late January.Sayyari said earlier this month that presence in the Indian and Pacific oceans and the China Sea, patrolling Southeast Asia's strategic Strait of Malacca, crossing the Equator, docking at China's port city of Zhangjiagang port and identifying 370 surface and subsurface vessel units were among the important tasks carried out by the fleet.The Iranian warships also docked in Sri Lanka after their successful mission in the Pacific Ocean and crossing the Equator.