BEIJING: China, Iran, and Russia are conducting joint maritime drills in Oman from March 15 to 19, the Chinese defense ministry said on Wednesday.
The drills will help “deepen practical cooperation among the navies of participating countries,” the Defence ministry said.
The ministry said other countries are also participating in the Security Bond-2023 drills without giving details.
Pakistan, Iran, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have coastlines along the waterbody lying at the mouth of the strategic Arabian Gulf.
The ministry said this exercise would help deepen practical cooperation between the participating countries’ navies and inject positive energy into regional peace and stability.
The naval exercises scheduled for Wednesday through Sunday come amid heightened tensions between the US and China over various issues, including China’s refusal to criticize Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine and continuing support for Russia.
The US and its allies have denounced the invasion, imposed economic sanctions on Russia, and supplied Ukraine with defensive arms.
The US and Iran have been adversaries since the founding of Iran in 1979 and the taking of US diplomats as hostages.
Similar drills in 2022 and 2019
China has dispatched the guided missile Nanning to participate in the exercises centered on search and rescue at sea and other non-combat missions.
The three nations held similar drills last year and in 2019, underscoring China’s growing military and political links with nations that the US and its partners have largely shunned.
Last week, Beijing hosted talks between Iran and Saudi Arabia that resulted in a deal between them Friday to restore full diplomatic ties after seven years of tensions.
