Iranian ships that appeared to be heading to Venezuela are now in the Baltic Sea approaching Russia

(CNN) – Two Iranian ships that they seemed to be heading to Venezuela they are now in the Baltic Sea approaching the Russian city of Saint Petersburg, according to MarineTraffic, a website that is in charge of monitoring the ships.

The position of the ships, including the floating military base called Makran, indicates that they are likely heading to St. Petersburg to participate in the Russian Navy Day events, according to two defense officials familiar with the movements of the ships.

The Pentagon has watched the ships for about two months, as they circled the southern tip of Africa and appeared ready to cross the Atlantic into Venezuela. Pentagon officials were concerned about the possible introduction of Iranian weapons into the Western Hemisphere and the possible transfer of weapons to Venezuela.

In mid-June, the ships, which at the time were off the West African coast, began moving north rather than across the Atlantic.

Venezuela’s decision to reject the Iranian ships came after the US exerted diplomatic pressure on Caracas and the Nicolás Maduro regime, two officials said at the time. The US also applied diplomatic pressure to other countries along the route of the Iranian ships, including West African countries such as Senegal.

The Makran was seen in late April in satellite images from Maxar Technologies in the port of Bandar Abbas in Iran with seven small fast attack vessels on its deck. A smaller frigate accompanies the Makran.

Last month, Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said Iran’s arms handover in the Western Hemisphere would be seen as an “act of provocation” and a “threat to our partners.” Earlier, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had said he was “absolutely concerned” about the proliferation of weapons in the region.

Pentagon officials had been watching to see if the ships were continuing north, heading toward Russia, or turning toward the Mediterranean Sea and heading back to Iran. The latter scenario was considered unlikely, as it would be a failure for Iran.

The ship’s current position in the Baltic Sea and its direction make its destination clearer, defense officials said. Russian Navy Day is scheduled for Sunday in St. Petersburg, and it appears the Makran will participate in the events in some way, officials said.