politics
February 19, 2026
Russia, China and Iran hold joint naval drills
Russia, China and Iran will hold joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Oman, Putin aide Nikolay Patrushev has said
TL;DR
- Russia, China, and Iran are participating in joint naval exercises called Maritime Security Belt.
- The exercises are taking place in the Gulf of Oman and the northern Indian Ocean.
- The stated goal is to create a "multipolar world order on the oceans" and counter Western dominance.
- These drills have been conducted trilaterally since 2019, with an exception in 2021.
- The maneuvers coincide with US-Iran indirect talks regarding Iran's nuclear program.
- Iran has warned it could close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil shipping route, if attacked.
- Tensions are high following US withdrawal from the JCPOA and recent coordinated airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.