Iranian warship Damavand pictured during a visit to southern Russia in 2019<\/p>\n
Naval forces of Iran, Russia and China have started a joint exercise in the Sea of Oman\u00a0amid heightened tensions in the region over the Israeli campaign of death and destruction in the besieged Gaza Strip.<\/strong><\/p>\n The \u201cMarine Security Belt 2024\u201d drills kicked off on Tuesday\u00a0and will reportedly involve more than 20 ships, support vessels, combat boats, and naval helicopters from the three countries.<\/p>\n The media headquarters of the joint drills announced in a statement that Russia\u2019s Varyag missile cruiser and the Marshal Shaposhnikov frigate will participate in the joint drills along with China\u2019s guided-missile destroyer Urumqi and the guided-missile frigate Linyi as well as 10 warships from Iran.<\/p>\n Admiral Mostafa Tajaddini, the drill\u2019s spokesperson, also noted that the exercise will take place in 17,000 square kilometers (6,600 square miles) of water.<\/p>\n He went on to say that the maneuver\u2019s goal is to strengthen \u201cthe security of international maritime trade, combating piracy and maritime terrorism,\u201d\u00a0among others, according to a report by Iranian state media.<\/p>\n Russia\u2019s Defense Ministry also said the exercises, which will run through Friday, would focus on the protection of \u201cmaritime economic activity\u201d as well.<\/p>\n China\u2019s Defense Ministry, for its part, said the drills are aimed at \u201cjointly maintaining regional maritime security.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cChina will send \u2026 guided-missile destroyer Urumqi, guided-missile frigate Linyi and comprehensive supply ship Dongpinghu to participate in the exercise,\u201d the ministry said in a statement.<\/p>\n Iranian naval forces, together with their Chinese and Russian counterparts, have held several military drills in recent years to enhance the security and stability of international maritime trade.<\/p>\n They have also been involved in joint efforts aimed at countering piracy and maritime terrorism, exchanging information in naval rescue and relief operations as well as sharing operational and tactical experience.<\/p>\n The latest drills \u2014 the fifth joint military exercise by the three nations in recent years \u2014 comes\u00a0amid Israel’s genocidal campaign in Gaza.<\/p>\n Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Oman, Pakistan and South Africa are observers of the drills.<\/p>\n