An Iranian naval task force has docked in Sudan, carrying with it a “message of peace and security to neighbouring countries”, Iranian state media report.The vessels, which include a corvette and freighter, set sail from Iran last month, the Irna news agency said.Their arrival comes six days after explosions destroyed an arms factory in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum.Sudan has complained to the UN that Israel bombed the factory, which is believed to have been operated by Iran.Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility for the incident.According to Iranian state media, the naval task force which docked in Sudan on Monday morning includes the Shahid Naqdi, a corvette-class vessel, and the Kharg, a supply vessel that can carry three helicopters.The Iranian navy was quoted as saying the visit was aimed at “conveying the message of peace and friendship to the neighbouring countries and ensuring security for seafaring and shipping lanes against marine terrorism and piracy”.The commanders of the Iranian flotilla were said to have met Sudanese navy commanders during the docking ceremony.The location of the port was not given by Irna, but the semi-official Fars news agency said the task force had docked in Port Sudan.
