Iran, Russia, and China have announced plans to conduct joint naval exercises in the northern Indian Ocean later this month, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim News Agency.
The drills, titled “Maritime Security Belt,” will involve naval forces from Iran, including units of the Iranian Navy and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), alongside warships from the Chinese and Russian navies.
According to the report, the exercises are aimed at enhancing preparedness against potential maritime threats and strengthening military cooperation among the three countries. Officials said the drills will focus on improving coordination, joint operations, and collective responses to security challenges at sea.
Tasnim reported that the Maritime Security Belt exercises were first launched by Iran’s navy in 2019 and have since been held seven times, making them a recurring feature of trilateral military cooperation in the region.
The announcement comes at a time of heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran. The United States has recently increased its naval presence in the Middle East, deploying additional warships to the region amid concerns over regional security and freedom of navigation.
More Read
Analysts say the joint drills underscore growing defense coordination between Iran, Russia, and China, particularly in strategic waterways that play a critical role in global trade and energy transport.
