“Marine Belt Security 2024”
Russia is holding naval exercises with Iran and China
March 11, 2024, 6:07 p.m
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The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important shipping routes for global oil exports. Moscow will conduct a military exercise there in cooperation with Tehran and Beijing. That’s why the Russian missile cruiser “Varyag” is already directing ships to the Iranian port of Chabahar.
Russia has moved some of its warships from the Pacific Fleet to the Gulf of Oman for a naval exercise with Iran and China. The ships led by the Russian missile cruiser “Varyag” had arrived in the Iranian port of Chabahar, the Russian Defense Ministry told the Interfax agency in Moscow. In addition to ships, three Iranian helicopters are also involved in the exercise “Sea Belt Security 2024,” it said. The practical part of the maneuver takes place in the Gulf of Oman. The most important aim of the exercise is to develop precautions to ensure the safety of economic activity by sea.
The waters between Iran and Oman are of particular importance for maritime trade. The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Gulf of Oman with the Persian Gulf, is one of the most important shipping routes for global oil exports. According to the Iranian news agency Tasnim, the objectives of the exercise include the fight against piracy and maritime terrorism, humanitarian measures, information exchange in the area of sea rescue and the exchange of operational and tactical experiences.
According to the Chinese Defense Ministry, a guided-missile destroyer, a guided-missile frigate and a supply ship will take part in the exercise. Russia, Iran and China have also held joint military exercises in the past. In view of strict international sanctions, Moscow and Tehran have recently significantly expanded their military and economic relations. By taking part in maneuvers in other regions of the world, Russia wants to show that it is broadly positioned despite its war of aggression against Ukraine, which has been ongoing for more than two years.
The exercises also take place against the backdrop of the Gaza war between Israel and the Iran-backed Islamist Palestinian organization Hamas. Since it began, the Yemeni Houthi rebels, who are also supported by Tehran, have carried out a series of attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea.