BEIJING: The navies of China, Russia, and Iran will conduct a joint military exercise in the Gulf of Oman this week, aiming to strengthen regional security and enhance multilateral cooperation, according to official statements from the participating nations.
The drills, codenamed “Security Belt-2025”, will take place near the Iranian port of Chabahar in the northern Indian Ocean, the Chinese Ministry of National Defence confirmed on Sunday.
Iranian media outlet Tasnim reported that the exercise is set to begin on Tuesday, though no official end date has been provided.
According to Tasnim, warships, combat vessels, and support ships from the Chinese and Russian naval forces will participate alongside Iran’s naval fleet, including units from both the Iranian Army and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
China will deploy the Type 052D guided-missile destroyer Baotou and the Type 903A supply ship Gaoyouhu from the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s 47th escort task group, which has been patrolling the nearby Gulf of Aden since December.
Iran’s army previously conducted drills in the same area in February to bolster defence capabilities against any potential threats, the Iranian Defence Ministry said.
According to a statement from China’s defence ministry, the Security Belt-2025 exercise will focus on striking maritime targets, search and rescue operations, damage control, and visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) drills.
The Iranian media report added that the exercise seeks to strengthen security in the region and expand multilateral cooperation among the participating navies.
Representatives from Azerbaijan, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Sri Lanka are expected to attend as observers.
Strategic importance
The Gulf of Oman, where the exercise will take place, is a critical trade route and a vital energy corridor, linking the Indian Ocean to the Strait of Hormuz—a key passage for global oil and gas shipments.
Chinese military expert Song Zhongping said, as cited by the Global Times, that the participating nations share strategic interests in maintaining stability in the region.
The drills underscore growing military cooperation between China, Russia, and Iran, which have held similar exercises since 2019.
Furthermore, Iran and Russia recently signed an agreement in January to strengthen bilateral cooperation in defence, trade, and other sectors.
While Russia and Iran have not yet confirmed which of their naval fleets will participate, Russian media reports indicate that warships from Russia’s Pacific Fleet, including the corvettes Aldar Tsydenzhapov and Rezkiy, recently conducted artillery drills in the Indian Ocean.
Tensions with United States
The joint exercise comes at a time of heightened tensions between Iran and the United States.
Washington has imposed severe sanctions on Tehran as part of its maximum pressure campaign, with the stated aim of curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Meanwhile, relations between Russia and the US have seen some diplomatic shifts, with Moscow expressing willingness to mediate between Washington and Tehran on nuclear-related issues.
With the Security Belt-2025 drills marking the fifth joint naval exercise between China, Russia, and Iran since 2019, analysts suggest the three countries are deepening their military coordination in response to what they describe as US hegemony in global affairs.
The Chinese Ministry of National Defence noted that joint exercises between the PLA Navy and other international forces, including anti-piracy and maritime security drills in the Gulf of Aden, have become a routine part of China’s military operations.
Chinese military affairs expert Zhang Junshe said, as cited by the Global Times, that the participating Type 052D destroyer and Type 903A supply ship form a flotilla capable of conducting diverse military operations with strong combat power and endurance.
Observers say the Security Belt-2025 drills reflect an evolving military partnership between China, Russia, and Iran, with implications for the broader balance of power in the Indian Ocean and the Middle East.
