Warships from Russia and China arrived off Iran’s coast on Monday to take part in the annual naval exercises with Iran. The Marine Security Belt drills officially kicked off on Tuesday, near the port city of Chabahar in the Gulf of Oman.
According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency, the main objective of the drills is to “enhance regional security and promote multilateral cooperation” among the participating nations. The Gulf of Oman is a strategically vital area, serving as a key gateway to the Strait of Hormuz, a major oil shipping route.
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced it had deployed two corvettes and a tanker from its Pacific Fleet for the drills. The exercises, which will span several days in the northern Indian Ocean, will include tasks such as the liberation of captured ships, search and rescue operations, and artillery drills targeting both sea and air targets.
China’s Defense Ministry confirmed it would send a destroyer and a supply ship for the drills. Iran is contributing ten ships from both its navy and Revolutionary Guard forces.
