Joint naval drills by Russia, China and Iran in the Gulf of Oman

Russia, China and Iran will conduct joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman from March 15 to 19, signaling a coordinated show of maritime capability in a strategically critical region. The announcement, attributed to official channels from the Chinese Ministry of Defense, frames the drill as a regional demonstration of interoperability among large power navies and emphasizes the aim of enhancing coordinated operations at sea. The exercises are expected to involve complex surface warfare maneuvers, anti-access and area denial concepts, and coordinated maritime patrols that test command and control across multiple fleets. Observers note that the participation of these three nations underscores a growing emphasis on combined presence in the Persian Gulf area, a region where sea lines of communication are vital for energy security and global trade. The drills will likely include simulated escorts, protected sea lanes, and responses to potential maritime threats, all conducted under a unified command arrangement that leverages each nation’s strengths in surface warfare, aerial surveillance, and underwater security operations.