China, Iran and Russia have begun a joint naval drill in the Gulf of Oman, known as “Marine Security Belt 2024.”
Among other goals, the drill was meant to improve trade, confront piracy and terrorism, support to humanitarian activities and the exchange of information in the field of rescue.
Iran has stepped up its military cooperation with Beijing and Moscow in response to regional tensions with the U.S., including the supply of military drones to Russia now being used in Moscow’s war on Ukraine.
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Oman, Pakistan and South Africa are observers of the drill.
The Gulf of Oman has seen a series of attacks since 2019 that the U.S. has blamed on Iran.