Chinese and Russian Warships Join Iran for Maritime Exercise

Defense News ,Russia ,China ,Iran :- China and Russia are teaming up with Iran for a joint naval exercise in Iran's waters, as reported by state media on Tuesday.

This year's collaboration comes amid increased tensions in the Middle East due to the Israel-Hamas conflict. This war has involved Iranian allies, including Yemen's Houthi rebels, who have been attacking commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. These actions have led to Western responses.

Iran's official news agency, IRNA, stated, "The naval units of China and Russia entered the territorial waters of our country to take part in the combined maritime exercise."

The joint maneuvers, aimed at "jointly maintaining regional maritime security," are set to begin in the Gulf of Oman on Tuesday night, according to Rear Admiral Mostafa Tajoddini, the spokesperson cited by IRNA.

China's defense ministry confirmed the participation of a destroyer, a frigate, and a supply ship in the joint exercise.

Russian state media reported that a group of ships from the Russian Pacific Fleet, led by the cruiser Varyag, arrived in the Iranian port of Chabahar on Monday in preparation for the drills.

Russian news agencies quoted the defense ministry, stating, "The practical part of the exercise will take place in the waters of the Gulf of Oman in the Arabian Sea. The main purpose of the maneuvers is to work out the safety of maritime economic activity."

All three nations, facing challenges in their relations with the West, previously conducted joint maneuvers in the same waters in March of the previous year under the name "Security Bond 2023."