Latest news with #FifthFleet
Business Recorder
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Russia and Bahrain in advanced talks over LNG supply deal
LONDON: Russia is in advanced talks with Bahrain over a three-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) agreement under which Moscow would supply the Gulf kingdom with 1.5 million metric tons of the fuel, according to three sources close to the matter. The prospective deal would be the first of its kind between the countries and continues the expansion of Russia's reach in global energy markets and LNG competition with the United States. Russia, the world's fourth-largest LNG producer behind the United States, Qatar and Australia, is striving to enter the top three global LNG exporters and plans to produce 100 million tons per annum (mtpa) of the super-chilled gas in the medium term. Home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, Bahrain is seeking to increase LNG imports to meet a gas shortage amid peak summer energy demand for air-conditioning. Last month the kingdom received its first LNG cargo in six years. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak met Bahrain's Minister of Oil and Environment, Mohamed bin Mubarak bin Daina, this week to discuss the purchase of 1.5 million tons, or 20 LNG cargoes, per year for three years, the sources said. Russia's LNG exports down 4.6% y/y in January-April, data shows 'Talks are at an advanced stage and the deal is expected to be concluded soon,' one of the sources said. Volumes are expected to come from Russia's Yamal LNG plant, in which Russia's largest LNG producer, Novatek, holds a majority stake. Novatek and Bahrain's government communications office did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Zawya
23-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Russia and Bahrain in advanced talks over LNG supply deal, sources say
Russia is in advanced talks with Bahrain over a three-year liquefied natural gas (LNG) agreement under which Moscow would supply the Gulf kingdom with 1.5 million metric tons of the fuel, according to three sources close to the matter. The prospective deal would be the first of its kind between the countries and continues the expansion of Russia's reach in global energy markets and LNG competition with the United States. Russia, the world's fourth-largest LNG producer behind the United States, Qatar and Australia, is striving to enter the top three global LNG exporters and plans to produce 100 million tons per annum (mtpa) of the super-chilled gas in the medium term. Home to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, Bahrain is seeking to increase LNG imports to meet a gas shortage amid peak summer energy demand for air-conditioning. Last month the kingdom received its first LNG cargo in six years. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak met Bahrain's Minister of Oil and Environment, Mohamed bin Mubarak bin Daina, this week to discuss the purchase of 1.5 million tons, or 20 LNG cargoes, per year for three years, the sources said. "Talks are at an advanced stage and the deal is expected to be concluded soon," one of the sources said. Volumes are expected to come from Russia's Yamal LNG plant, in which Russia's largest LNG producer, Novatek, holds a majority stake. Novatek and Bahrain's government communications office did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Express Tribune
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Russia, China and Iran strengthen military ties with annual naval exercises
Warships attend a joint naval exercise of the Iranian, Chinese and Russian navies in the northern Indian Ocean, during their exercises in 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS Warships from Iran, China, and Russia began their annual joint naval drills in the Gulf of Oman on Monday, underscoring the strengthening military ties between the three nations. The exercises, dubbed "Security Belt-2025," are being held near the Iranian port of Chabahar and mark the fifth such drill since 2019, according to Chinese state media. The joint military exercise comes at a time of heightened tensions in global geopolitics, particularly as US President Donald Trump disrupts traditional Western alliances. The drills are seen as a show of solidarity among the three authoritarian powers, which aim to counterbalance U.S. influence and challenge the Western-led global order. The drills, which are being closely watched by the West, include a variety of military operations designed to enhance cooperation and demonstrate military strength. These include simulated strikes on maritime targets, visit-board-search-seizure operations, and search and rescue drills. Russia's defense ministry reported that the exercise involves 15 combat ships, support vessels, gunboats, and helicopters. China has deployed the Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Baotou and supply ship Gaoyouhu, while Iran has sent a stealth missile corvette and a patrol ship. While the exercise has sparked concern in Washington, US President Trump has downplayed the significance of the show of force. In an interview on Sunday, Trump said, "We're stronger than all of them. We have more power than all of them," brushing aside concerns about the growing military collaboration between Iran, China, and Russia. The increased cooperation between the three countries, alongside their shared animosity toward the US, has raised alarms about the possibility of a broader strategic alliance. Washington lawmakers have referred to this growing bloc as an "axis of authoritarianism," and have expressed concern that this partnership could amplify the global threat posed by these nations. The drills also come amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran, particularly as Trump has reinvigorated his "maximum pressure" campaign on Tehran, aiming to cut Iran's oil exports and halt its nuclear ambitions. Meanwhile, Russia and North Korea have deepened their military ties, with the two countries signing a mutual defense agreement and North Korean troops fighting in Ukraine. The Gulf of Oman, where the drills are taking place, is a vital shipping lane connecting the Indian Ocean with the Strait of Hormuz, through which more than one-quarter of the world's seaborne oil passes. The US maintains a significant naval presence in the region through its Fifth Fleet, which is based in nearby Bahrain.
CNN
10-03-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Iran, China and Russia launch annual joint naval drills as Trump upends Western alliances
Warships from Iran, China and Russia kicked off their annual joint exercises in the Gulf of Oman on Monday, showing off their military ties as US President Donald Trump upends longstanding Western alliances. The 'Security Belt-2025' drills, taking place near the Iranian port of Chabahar, is the fifth joint naval exercise Iran, China and Russia have held since 2019, according to Chinese state media. Analysts have long seen the drills as a demonstration of the growing partnership among the three authoritarian powers as they seek to counterbalance US influence and challenge the Western-led global order. But this year, the optics are even more pronounced as Trump disrupts the transatlantic alliance – a cornerstone of Western security for decades – by embracing Russia at the expense of Ukraine, and pushes Asian allies to pay more for US protection. Asked about the drills on Sunday, Trump said he is 'not at all' concerned about the show of force by the three US adversaries. 'We're stronger than all of them. We have more power than all of them,' he told Fox News aboard Air Force One. Concerns have been mounting in Washington about the emerging strategic partnership among China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, which US lawmakers have described as an 'axis of authoritarianism,' 'axis of autocrats' and 'axis of dictators.' The fear is that a shared animosity toward the US is increasingly driving these countries to work together – amplifying the threat that any one of them alone poses to Washington or its allies, not just in one region but perhaps in multiple parts of the world at the same time. At the same time, Trump has openly embraced Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a bid to end the war in Ukraine by talking directly to Moscow while leaving Kyiv and European allies on the sidelines. Russia and North Korea's military relationship has strengthened considerably over the last year, with the two signing a mutual defense agreement and Pyongyang sending its troops to fight for Moscow in its invasion of Ukraine. The drills also come amid heightened tension between US and Iran. Since returning to the White House, Trump has restored what he calls his 'maximum pressure' campaign on Iran that includes efforts to drive its oil exports down to zero in an attempt to stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon – a move denounced by Tehran as 'bullying' tactics. The Gulf of Oman is a crucial gateway connecting the Indian Ocean and the Strait of Hormuz, through which more than one-quarter of the world's seaborne traded oil passes. The US maintains its own significant presence in the region via the Fifth Fleet which is based out of nearby Bahrain. Russia's Defense Ministry said the joint naval exercises will involve 15 combat ships, support vessels and gunboats, as well as helicopters, according to state news agency TASS. 'The Russian side is represented by the Rezky and Russian Hero Aldar Tsydenzhapov corvettes, and the Pechenega tanker of the Pacific Fleet,' the ministry is quoted as saying. China, meanwhile, deployed the Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Baotou and supply ship Gaoyouhu from a nearby naval escort task force to take part in the exercise, the Chinese Defense Ministry said in a statement. The drills, with an aim to 'enhance military trust and strengthen practical cooperation,' will include simulated strikes on maritime targets, visit-board-search-seizure operations and search and rescue drills, the ministry added. Iran has sent a stealth missile corvette and a patrol ship, according to Iranian state media.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iran, China and Russia launch annual joint naval drills as Trump upends Western alliances
Warships from Iran, China and Russia kicked off their annual joint exercises in the Gulf of Oman on Monday, showing off their military ties as US President Donald Trump upends longstanding Western alliances. The 'Security Belt-2025' drills, taking place near the Iranian port of Chabahar, is the fifth joint naval exercise Iran, China and Russia have held since 2019, according to Chinese state media. Analysts have long seen the drills as a demonstration of the growing partnership among the three authoritarian powers as they seek to counterbalance US influence and challenge the Western-led global order. But this year, the optics are even more pronounced as Trump disrupts the transatlantic alliance – a cornerstone of Western security for decades – by embracing Russia at the expense of Ukraine, and pushes Asian allies to pay more for US protection. Asked about the drills on Sunday, Trump said he is 'not at all' concerned about the show of force by the three US adversaries. 'We're stronger than all of them. We have more power than all of them,' he told Fox News aboard Air Force One. Concerns have been mounting in Washington about the emerging strategic partnership among China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, which US lawmakers have described as an 'axis of authoritarianism,' 'axis of autocrats' and 'axis of dictators.' The fear is that a shared animosity toward the US is increasingly driving these countries to work together – amplifying the threat that any one of them alone poses to Washington or its allies, not just in one region but perhaps in multiple parts of the world at the same time. At the same time, Trump has openly embraced Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in a bid to end the war in Ukraine by talking directly to Moscow while leaving Kyiv and European allies on the sidelines. Russia and North Korea's military relationship has strengthened considerably over the last year, with the two signing a mutual defense agreement and Pyongyang sending its troops to fight for Moscow in its invasion of Ukraine. The drills also come amid heightened tension between US and Iran. Since returning to the White House, Trump has restored what he calls his 'maximum pressure' campaign on Iran that includes efforts to drive its oil exports down to zero in an attempt to stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon – a move denounced by Tehran as 'bullying' tactics. The Gulf of Oman is a crucial gateway connecting the Indian Ocean and the Strait of Hormuz, through which more than one-quarter of the world's seaborne traded oil passes. The US maintains its own significant presence in the region via the Fifth Fleet which is based out of nearby Bahrain. Russia's Defense Ministry said the joint naval exercises will involve 15 combat ships, support vessels and gunboats, as well as helicopters, according to state news agency TASS. 'The Russian side is represented by the Rezky and Russian Hero Aldar Tsydenzhapov corvettes, and the Pechenega tanker of the Pacific Fleet,' the ministry is quoted as saying. China, meanwhile, deployed the Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Baotou and supply ship Gaoyouhu from a nearby naval escort task force to take part in the exercise, the Chinese Defense Ministry said in a statement. The drills, with an aim to 'enhance military trust and strengthen practical cooperation,' will include simulated strikes on maritime targets, visit-board-search-seizure operations and search and rescue drills, the ministry added. Iran has sent a stealth missile corvette and a patrol ship, according to Iranian state media.
