An Italian navy ship has docked in the southern Iranian port of Bandar Abbas in the first official visit by a Western naval vessel to the country in 15 years.
The Italian Navy said the visit comes as part of the resumption of "historic and excellent relations" between the two navies.
The Italian Navy said the ship was part of an EU antipiracy mission and would remain docked in Iran for three days before returning to Italy.
Iran’s semiofficial ISNA news agency said the visit comes two weeks after an Italian navy delegation visited the Iranian capital, Tehran.
Ties between Iran and Western countries have improved following last year's nuclear agreement under which Tehran has significantly limited its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi visited Iran in April accompanied by a 250-member delegation.
