Iran, Russia and China Hold Joint Naval Exercises in Gulf of Oman
The navies of Iran, Russia and China will hold military drills in southeast Iran on the Gulf of Oman, this week in a bid to boost cooperation, Iranian media reported on Sunday.
The three countries, which share a common desire to counter what they characterize as US hegemony, have held similar exercises in the region in recent years.
The drills 'will begin on Tuesday in the port of Chabahar,' located in southeast Iran on the Gulf of Oman, said the Tasnim news agency, a semi-official news agency in Iran associated with the Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
It did not specify their duration.
Iran's official IRNA news agency said the exercise, codenamed 'Security Belt 2025,' will kick off on Monday.
'Warships and combat and support vessels of the Chinese and Russian naval forces, as well as the warships of Iran's naval forces of the army and the Revolutionary Guards' are expected to participate, according to AFP.
The exercises will take place 'in the northern Indian Ocean' and aim to 'strengthen security in the region and expand multilateral cooperation between participating countries,' Tasnim said.
Azerbaijan, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Sri Lanka will attend as observers.
China will deploy 'a destroyer and a supply ship,' the Chinese Defense Ministry said on the WeChat social media network.
The Iranian army conducted drills in the same area in February to 'strengthen defense capabilities against any threat.'
Tehran has in recent months announced new additions to its conventional weaponry, such as its first drone carrier and an underground naval base amid rising tensions with the US and its regional arch-enemy Israel.
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