Russia began joint naval exercises with China and Iran in the Gulf of Oman, Russia’s Defense Ministry announced Sunday. The drills, called Marine Security Belt 2025, aim to improve counter-piracy and terrorism operations at sea,

For the fifth consecutive year, warships from these three countries are gathering starting this Monday in waters near the Iranian port of Chabahar, in the Gulf of Oman. Amid a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape,

Marine Security Belt naval drills are held annually by Iran, China and Russia near the Gulf of Oman. The waters are strategically important for global trade and oil exports in particular.Russian and Chinese warships arrived in waters off Iran on Monday for annual naval drills between the three countries.

China, Russia, and Iran will hold the Security Belt 2025 joint maritime exercises in the Gulf of Oman this month, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced on March 9. Both China and Iran have supported Russia during its full-scale invasion of Ukraine,