Russia, China and Iran do military exercises together

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

Iran, Russia, and China have launched their fifth consecutive year of joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman, reinforcing their military cooperation in the region.

China’s CGTN reported that the "Marine Security Belt 2025" drills began Tuesday near the Iranian port of Chabahar, focusing on enhancing coordination between naval forces from the three nations.

Key Objectives of the Naval Drills

The multi-day exercise includes a range of tactical maneuvers, such as:
✅ Maritime target strikes
✅ Damage control operations
✅ Joint search and rescue missions

According to Russia’s Interfax news agency, warships conducted live-fire exercises during both day and night, using large-caliber machine guns and small arms to simulate engagements with unmanned boats and aerial drones.

International Participation and Observers

Although China and Russia do not regularly patrol Middle Eastern waters, the region has seen increased militarization in recent years.

Iran’s Press TV reported that naval delegations from several nations—including Azerbaijan, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Iraq, the UAE, and Sri Lanka—are observing the drills.