Iran, China, and Russia Conduct Joint Naval Drills in Gulf of Oman

The exercises aim to bolster maritime security amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing threats to shipping routes.

Iran, China, and Russia have commenced a series of joint naval drills in the Gulf of Oman, showcasing their unified military capabilities amid regional tensions.
The exercises, named 'Maritime Security Belt—2024', aim to demonstrate the nations' ability to protect maritime economic activity and combat piracy and maritime terrorism.
Observers from several countries, including Azerbaijan, India, Kazakhstan, Oman, Pakistan, and South Africa, are present, highlighting the drills' significance on an international scale.
The drills coincide with ongoing attacks on shipping vessels by Iran-backed Houthi rebels, raising concerns about maritime security in crucial trade routes.
These joint exercises mark the fifth military collaboration among Iran, China, and Russia in recent years, signaling a strengthening of ties amid escalating global tensions.