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

China, Iran, and Russia have conducted joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman, continuing a series of coordinated military drills that have taken place annually since 2019.

The latest iteration, named “Maritime Security Belt 2025,” was held near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy trade.

According to AP, the exercises were aimed at strengthening coordination among the naval forces of the three countries. China’s CGTN reported that the drills, which began on March 11 near the Iranian port of Chabahar, included maritime target strikes, damage control simulations, and joint search and rescue operations.

The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that crews conducted live-fire exercises, engaging simulated unmanned aerial vehicles and boats.

Iran’s Press TV stated that naval representatives from several countries, including Azerbaijan, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Sri Lanka, observed the exercises.

These drills take place amid heightened tensions in the region. In recent years, the Gulf of Oman and the surrounding waterways have become increasingly militarized, with Western nations bolstering their naval presence in response to security concerns.

The U.S. and allied forces established a 10-nation coalition in late 2023 to counter maritime threats in the Red Sea, following attacks on commercial shipping by Yemen’s Houthis.

China and Russia do not regularly patrol Middle Eastern waters but have expanded their cooperation with Iran in recent years. Beijing remains a key buyer of Iranian crude oil, while Moscow has relied on Tehran for the supply of drones used in its war against Ukraine.

Previous reports from China’s Ministry of Defense and Iran’s Tasnim news agency also highlighted the drills’ focus on counter-piracy and maritime security.