Latest news with #SecurityBelt2025
Asharq Al-Awsat
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
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.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
China, Iran and Russia to hold 'Security Belt' military exercise in Indian Ocean
March 9 (UPI) -- Iran, China and Russia will launch a joint military operation Monday called "Security Belt 2025," designed to promote security and trilateral cooperation in the Indian Ocean. "The aim is to strengthen military mutual trust and foster pragmatic cooperation among the naval forces of the participating countries," the Chinese defense ministry said in a statement. It's the 7th "Security Belt" exercise, and will include drills that focus on striking maritime targets, damage control, as well as joint search and rescue, according to the Chinese news agency Xinhua. China is scheduled to dispatch the Baotou, its most powerful guided missile destroyer to participate in the exercise. This year's exercise is scheduled to take place in the Iranian port of Chabahar on the Gulf of Oman coast. Officials from the Azerbaijan Republic, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Iraq, the UAE, and Sri Lanka will monitor the exercise, Iranian state media reported. Last year's exercises included the armed rescue of hijacked merchant vessels and firing on targets at sea, the Chinese ministry reported.
Yahoo
09-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Russia, China, Iran to hold joint naval drills in Gulf of Oman
China, Russia, and Iran will hold the Security Belt 2025 joint maritime exercises in the Gulf of Oman this month, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced on March 9. Both China and Iran have supported Russia during its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, helping it sustain its war effort despite the West's sanctions. The cooperation between these authoritarian regimes appears to continue to deepen as the West is growing more divided due to U.S. President Donald Trump's U-turn in foreign policy. The new drills will start on March 11 in the port of Chabahar, located in southeast Iran, the Tasnim news agency reported. The three countries are planning to practice countering maritime targets, rescue operations, and maneuvering. The exercises are aimed at deepening "the mutual trust and pragmatic cooperation between the participating countries' armies," the Chinese ministry said. The three countries conducted similar joint naval exercises in the past, including in 2023 and 2024. Beijing has remained a key ally of Moscow throughout the invasion, deepening economic ties and becoming Russia's leading source of dual-use goods — components that are used for manufacturing weapons. Russia has also strengthened its ties with Iran, in particular deepening the level of military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. Iran has provided Russia with thousands of Shahed attack drones used in attacks against Ukrainian cities. Read also: Ukraine releases video of Russian attack via gas pipeline in Kursk Oblast We've been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
