Iranian Navy returns to port completing first round the planet trip

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 May 20:06

Iranian Navy's 86th flotilla returns to the port city of Bandar Abbas after completing the first-ever Iranian round the planet naval trip.

Iran's 86th Naval flotilla, comprised of Iranian-built destroyer Dena and the Makran port ship, arrived in the Persian Gulf waters on May 17, 2023 after navigating around the world in a mission codenamed "360-Degree". (IRNA photos/Ali Sharifzadeh)

After having docked at the southern Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, the Iranian Army's Navy's 86th flotilla, which had successfully completed its historic round of the planet for the first time in the nation's history, put an end to its historic voyage.

A welcoming ceremony was held, on Saturday, at the port, and Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, the commander of the Navy, was in attendance and congratulated the Iranian Army on thos historic success.

🔴چند فریم استقبال از خانواده افسران و درجه‌داران حاضر در ماموریت 8 ماهه #ناوگروه360 #ارتش pic.twitter.com/64SnZs3iLR
— Mahdi Bakhtiari (@Mahdiibakhtiari) May 20, 2023

The 86th flotilla was comprised of the destroyer Dena, which is armed with anti-ship cruise missiles, torpedoes, and naval cannons, and Makran, a military outpost that can accommodate five helicopters and has been used to assist combat warships logistically.

On September 20 of last year, the flotilla set sail from Bandar Abbas to journey across the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans. The primary mission of the flotilla's journey has been to strengthen Iran's naval presence in international waters.

US threatened to use sanctions on Panama to block Iran navy flotilla

On May 14, it was Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani revealed that Panama deliberately ignored threats issued by the US when an Iranian naval flotilla crossed through the Panama Canal.

The Iranian Navy’s 86th flotilla sailed through the Panama crossing on February 1, raising concern among White House officials.

The commander of Iran's navy, Rear Admiral Shahram Irani said in January that Iranian forces would establish a presence in the Panama Canal later this year, marking the first time Iran's military reaches the Pacific Ocean.

Irani states that the US had attempted to block the flotilla from crossing the canal, but Panama ignored threats of sanctions and decided to let the Iranian ships sail through.

The ships temporarily docked in Brazil in mid-March and later continued their journey.