Iran, Russia, and China Strengthen Naval Cooperation with Joint Drills in the Gulf of Oman
Iran, Russia, and China have commenced their joint naval drills in the Gulf of Oman, marking the fifth consecutive year of military cooperation between the three nations. The Marine Security Belt 2025 exercises, which began on Tuesday near the Iranian port of Chabahar, aim to bolster cooperation among the naval forces of the participating countries.
According to China’s CGTN news outlet, the drills will focus on various maritime operations, including striking maritime targets, damage control, and conducting joint search and rescue missions. Over the course of two days, participating naval crews conducted fire exercises during both day and night, utilizing large-caliber machine guns and small arms to target simulated unmanned boats and aerial vehicles mimicking a mock enemy, as reported by Russia’s Interfax news agency.
In addition to the three main participants, naval groups from Azerbaijan, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Sri Lanka are observing the exercises, according to Iran’s Press TV.
While China and Russia do not usually patrol Middle Eastern waters, the region’s waterways have grown increasingly militarized in recent years, with a rise in international naval activities. This includes actions taken by the United States and its allies in response to the growing threats in the region, particularly the tensions arising from attacks on shipping lanes and strategic chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz.
The timing of these drills coincides with the broader backdrop of heightened maritime security concerns. In late 2023, Yemen’s Houthi rebels began targeting ships linked to Israel in the Red Sea as part of their ongoing campaign in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Though the Houthis paused their attacks after a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in January 2024, they have signaled the possibility of resuming operations if Israel maintains its blockade on Gaza.
The United States, alongside several other Western nations, has bolstered its naval presence in the Red Sea to counter these growing threats. In December 2023, a 10-nation coalition was established to protect commercial shipping lanes from Houthi attacks. The U.S. Navy, already stationed in Bahrain, also plays a significant role in safeguarding regional waterways.
This year’s naval exercises also coincide with renewed diplomatic activity surrounding Iran’s nuclear program. U.S. President Donald Trump, in a letter to Iran’s leadership, expressed interest in reviving talks on a nuclear deal, despite the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 agreement during his first term. Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has responded with skepticism, accusing Washington of attempting to impose new demands that go beyond nuclear concerns.
The continued militarization of the region underscores the importance of securing vital shipping lanes and stabilizing energy flows while navigating the complex geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East.
