TEHRAN (Iran News) – Armed forces of Iran, Russia, and China will launch a joint navy drill in the northern part of the Indian Ocean and Sea of Oman on Friday, an Iranian military spokesman said on Wednesday. A senior spokesman for the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi pointed […]
TEHRAN (Iran News) – Armed forces of Iran, Russia, and China will launch a joint navy drill in the northern part of the Indian Ocean and Sea of Oman on Friday, an Iranian military spokesman said on Wednesday.
A senior spokesman for the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi pointed to the importance of the Indian Ocean and the Sea of Oman for international trade, describing ensuring of regional security as “vital”, according to IRNA.
Shekarchi said the four-day Iran, China, and Russia joint navy drill, called ‘Maritime Safety Belt’, is aimed at broadening the experience of beefing up security for international trade in the region.
Some reports indicate that Chinese and Russian navies have moved to the region to participate in the naval exercise, according to Mehr News Agency.
The drill comes after several attacks on oil tankers in the Persian Gulf in May and June, as well as drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities.
Washington and its ally Saudi Arabia were quick to blame Iran for the suspicious attacks.
Tehran rejected accusations of involvement, saying the incidents in the Sea of Oman appear to be false flags operations meant to frame the Islamic Republic.
Following the attacks, the United States engaged in significant regional military buildup by sending an aircraft carrier, a bomber task force, an assault ship, and around 1,500 additional forces to the Middle East.
The US has also formed a maritime coalition which has not been welcomed by many world countries.
- source : Iran Daily, Irannews
