A couple of Russian warships docked in northern Iran on Aug. 9 in order to participate in a series of naval exercises with the Islamic Republic. The ships are reportedly "carrying a message of 'peace and friendship'" from Russia, according to The Washington Free Beacon.

A report from Iran's state-controlled Fars News Agency has stated that the ships will be docked in Iran for three days, where naval exercises are set to be held.

"The Russian warships, Volgodonsk and Makhachkala docked in Anzali Port near the Caspian Sea, in the fourth naval zone, on the afternoon of 9 August," according to the report.

The report further stated that the Russian sailors were "welcomed by Iranian naval commanders and staff."

Levan Jagarian, who is currently serving as Russia's ambassador to Tehran, also attended the docking ceremony, reports Fox News. 

He said the exercises are meant to boost "mutual ties between the two countries in various fields," and that a priority of the naval visit is to expand "bilateral economic, political, and military cooperation."

The naval exercises with Russia were initiated just weeks after Iran managed to secure billions of dollars in sanctions from global powers in exchange for lessened restrictions on its nuclear programs, as previously reported by HNGN. 

Russia and Iran have grown quite close over the years, with both countries sending delegations to each other on a regular basis in order to ink arms deals, as well as other pertinent agreements that are aimed at bolstering Iran's nuclear programs.