Naval forces of Iran, Russia and China have started a joint exercise in the Sea of Oman amid heightened tensions in the region over the Israeli campaign of death and destruction in the besieged Gaza Strip.
The “Marine Security Belt 2024” drills kicked off on Tuesday and will reportedly involve more than 20 ships, support vessels, combat boats, and naval helicopters from the three countries.
The media headquarters of the joint drills announced in a statement that Russia’s Varyag missile cruiser and the Marshal Shaposhnikov frigate will participate in the joint drills along with China’s guided-missile destroyer Urumqi and the guided-missile frigate Linyi as well as 10 warships from Iran.
Admiral Mostafa Tajaddini, the drill’s spokesperson, also noted that the exercise will take place in 17,000 square kilometers (6,600 square miles) of water.