Iran contends that its military vessels are legally entitled to sail in the Mediterranean Sea under international law.
The Islamic Republic's Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Habibollah Sayyari, praised the flotilla of two vessels to Iranian naval personnel in the Syrian port of Lazeqiyya Sunday night.
Sayyari claimed the Khark and the Alvand were on a mission to convey a message of “peace and friendship” to Islamic and regional states and strengthen ties among countries, according to the state-run FARS news agency.
The Khark carries a crew of 250 and three helicopters. The Alvand is armed with torpedoes and anti-ship missiles, the news agency reported.
Both Israel and the United States have expressed grave concerns about the Iranian vessels and their presence in the Mediterranean.
Iran has said the two ships will be docked at the Syrian port for a year-long training program.