The "Iris Makran" can accommodate up to seven military helicopters on its deck, transport 80,000 tons of oil and 20,000 tons of water. The "Iris Dena", on the other hand, is a classic frigate with space for up to 140 soldiers. Both ships belong to the Iranian Navy and just a few days ago entered the port area of Rio de Janeiro just off the world-famous Copacabana Beach – thanks to the approval of Brazilian Vice Admiral Carlos Eduardo Horta Arentz, after they had previously been brushed off by other countries in the region.
Under the new government of leftist President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (77), Brazil has become an incalculable partner on the world stage. The West's wooing for the largest country in Latin America in recent weeks has been quite impressive.