Alwaght- Iran, China, and Russia have started their naval drills in the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday.
The drills, their fifth in recent years, have seen warships from China and Russia joining their Iranian counterparts in the region.
Second Admiral Mustafa Tajuddini, the spokesman for the 2024 Maritime Security Belt drills, stated in a joint press conference with the commanders of the Russian and Chinese units that this year, for the fifth year in a row, with the slogan 'together for peace and security' the three-party hybrid maritime exercises among the Iranian, Russian, and Chinese navies are being held.
In this exercise, in addition to naval units of Iran, China, and Russia, observers from five countries will be present to "realize the slogan of together for peace and security, according to the spokesman.
State media reported that a group of ships from Russia’s Pacific Fleet, led by the Varyag cruiser, arrived at the Iranian port of Chabahar on Monday ahead of the drills that will see representatives from the navies of Azerbaijan, India, Kazakhstan, Oman, Pakistan and South Africa act as observers.
Russia’s defence ministry said the exercises that will run through Friday and involve warships and aviation would focus on the protection of “maritime economic activity”.
For its part, China’s defence ministry said the drills are aimed at “jointly maintaining regional maritime security”.
"China will send … guided-missile destroyer Urumqi, guided-missile frigate Linyi and comprehensive supply ship Dongpinghu to participate in the exercise,” the ministry added in a statement.
The exercises come as the NATO forces started their 'Nordic exercises' with the presence of newly joined members Sweden and Finland in northern Sweden.
