IRAN, RUSSIA AND CHINA SHOW OFF THEIR SHIPS IN A JOINT NAVAL DRILL IN THE GULF OF OMAN
DUBAI - China, Iran, and Russia initiated a joint naval drill, "Marine Security Belt 2024," in the Gulf of Oman, officials announced on Tuesday.
The exercise featured more than 20 ships, including the Chinese guided-missile destroyer Urumqi and frigate Linyi, and Russia's Slava-class cruiser Varyag, along with support vessels, combat boats, and naval helicopters. Covering 17,000 square kilometers (6,600 square miles), the drill aimed to enhance trade security, counter piracy and terrorism, and promote humanitarian and rescue information exchange.
This marked the fourth collaboration between these nations since 2019, against a backdrop of Iran increasing its military ties with China and Russia amid tensions with the U.S., notably over Iran's drone support to Russia for its involvement in Ukraine. Observers from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Oman, Pakistan, and South Africa were present. The Gulf of Oman, a vital conduit for a fifth of the world's oil trade, has been a site of tensions, including attacks and ship seizures attributed to Iran since the collapse of its nuclear deal with world powers.