Russia, China, and Iran to Hold Joint Naval Drills Off Iran’s Coast

Russia, Iran, and China are set to conduct joint naval exercises off Iran’s southern coast, aiming to strengthen military cooperation, according to China’s Ministry of Defense and Iran’s Tasnim news agency on March 9.

The drills will begin on March 11 in the port of Chabahar, located in Iran’s Oman Gulf region, though the duration of the exercises remains unclear.

The training will involve warships, combat vessels, and support ships from the Chinese and Russian navies, along with Iran’s regular naval forces and the Revolutionary Guard's fleet.

The official purpose of the exercises is to enhance regional security and expand multilateral cooperation among the participating nations.

During the drills, Russian, Iranian, and Chinese forces plan to practice counter-piracy operations, counterterrorism measures, and maritime search-and-rescue coordination.

Observers from Azerbaijan, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Iraq, the UAE, and Sri Lanka will attend the exercises.

Earlier, it was reported that Russia and Iran have signed a memorandum of cooperation to jointly develop and manufacture microelectronics. The agreement, formalized between the Zelenograd Nanotechnology Center and Iran’s Headquarters for the Development of Nano- and Microtechnologies, aims to establish sustainable production and supply chains amid existing restrictions, according to Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade.