Iran, Russia, and China Hold Joint Naval Exercises 'Maritime Security Belt 2025' in Gulf of Oman.

International

In March 2025, Iran, Russia, and China began the 7th Maritime Security Belt joint naval drills in the Gulf of Oman, near the Strait of Hormuz. This marks the 5th consecutive year of such exercises, which aim to enhance maritime security and military cooperation among the participating nations.


      - The exercises take place amid heightened tensions in the region, particularly due to Iran's expanding nuclear program and threats from Yemen's Houthi rebels targeting commercial ships.

     

     

Main Point :-   (i) China, Russia, and Iran have been conducting joint naval exercises in this region annually since 2018, with the goal of strengthening military coordination in response to Western presence.

      (ii) Azerbaijan, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Sri Lanka are attending the 2025 exercise as observers.

(iii) The drills include maritime target strikes, damage control operations, and joint search and rescue missions. Crews are also practicing daytime and nighttime firing using large-caliber machine guns and small arms against simulated enemy drones and unmanned boats.

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