Iran, China, Russia stage joint naval drills in Gulf of Oman
The navies of Iran, Russia and China have begun joint drills in the Gulf of Oman, their fifth common military exercise in recent years.
The spokesman for the drills Rear Admiral Mostafa Tajeddini said on Tuesday that the exercises dubbed Maritime Security Belt 2024 will involve warships and aviation forces.
He said, “This year, for the fifth consecutive year, the trilateral joint naval exercises will be held by the Iranian, the Russian, and China navies with the slogan together for the establishment of peace and security.”
The exercises are intended to strengthen the security of international maritime trade, combat piracy and maritime terrorism, and provide an opportunity for the exchange of information in the field of maritime rescue as well as operational and tactical experiences.
The Iranian naval forces and their Chinese and Russian counterparts have held several military drills in recent years to enhance the security and stability of international maritime trade.
They have also been involved in joint efforts aimed at countering piracy and maritime terrorism, exchanging information in naval rescue and relief operations as well as sharing operational and tactical experience.
The drills, which started on Tuesday, coincide with heightened tensions in the region as Israel’s war on Gaza rages for a sixth month and Yemen’s Armed Forces have launched attacks on Israeli-bound ships in the Red Sea in response.
Russia’s Defense Ministry said the exercises that will run through Friday would focus on the protection of “maritime economic activity”.
Russian state media reported that a grouping of ships from Russia’s Pacific Fleet, led by the Varyag cruiser, arrived at the Iranian port of Chabahar on Monday ahead of the drills that will see representatives from the navies of Azerbaijan, India, Kazakhstan, Oman, Pakistan and South Africa act as observers.
For its part, China’s Defense Ministry said the drills are aimed at “jointly maintaining regional maritime security”.
“China will send … guided-missile destroyer Urumqi, guided-missile frigate Linyi and comprehensive supply ship Dongpinghu to participate in the exercise,” the ministry added in a statement, without providing further details.