WANA (Mar 10) – Chinese and Russian naval forces have entered Iran’s territorial waters to participate in the trilateral “Maritime Security Belt” joint exercise involving Iran, Russia, and China.

 

Russia’s participating fleet includes the Reshitelnyy destroyer, the Tsesar Kunikov landing ship, and the Pechenga logistics vessel. Meanwhile, the Chinese navy is represented by the Baotou destroyer and the Gaoyouhu logistics ship. These warships arrived in Iran’s territorial waters in preparation for the Maritime Security Belt 2025 exercise in the northern Indian Ocean.

 

Iranian naval units from the Army’s Navy—including the destroyers Jamaran, Alvand, Bayandor, as well as the vessels Nizeh, Genaveh, Nayband, and Bahregan—are also participating. Additionally, the IRGC Navy is contributing with the Shahid Sayyad Shirazi frigate, the Shahid Rouhi vessel, and the Shahid Mahmoudi ship.

The joint naval drill between Iran, China, and Russia is set to begin on Tuesday in Chabahar Port.

 

The seventh edition of the Maritime Security Belt 2025 exercise will feature Russian and Chinese naval flotillas, along with observers from Azerbaijan, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Iraq, the UAE, and Sri Lanka. The drill will take place in the northern Indian Ocean, with participation from both the Iranian Army Navy and the IRGC Navy.

 

The primary objectives of this exercise include enhancing security and sustainable maritime cooperation in the northern Indian Ocean, strengthening military collaboration between the strategic navies of Iran, China, and Russia, and improving joint naval operation capabilities.

 

Additionally, the exercise aims to demonstrate the Iranian Navy’s power in the international arena, enhance professional naval capabilities, and promote maritime diplomacy.

 

When asked about the joint naval exercise, former U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed concerns, stating that he was not worried about the drill because “the U.S. is stronger than all of them.”