The naval ships of Russia, China and Iran have been deployed to join the future arm of military drills that would be held at the Strait of Hormuz, which is considered to be strategic. The reports by foreign media are quoted by Operative Information Centre-OMM, which described the so-called “Security Belt 2026” drills as an emergency move to enhance regional cooperation in the maritime sector.

In earlier news, the Iranian Tasnim News Agency indicated that the eighth round of such joint naval exercises will start in late February in the northern region of the Indian Ocean. The drills will include various types of assets such as the Iranian Navy, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, as well as the naval forces of China and Russia. The major aims of the drills are to improve the security of international maritime commerce, fight piracy, fight maritime terror and conduct search and rescue missions.

The Iranian Navy initiated the annual Security Belt naval exercises, which have taken place since 2019. These exercises are a stage where the three countries showcase how they can coordinate their military operations in crucial global waters. 

One of the most important chokes of the world is the Strait of Hormuz, where the current exercises are being concentrated, and about one-fifth of the global oil consumption is sold through it. It is important when the exercise takes place because on February 16, Iran organised so-called Smart Control of the Strait of Hormuz exercises against the backdrop of an aggravation of the situation between countries and the additional deployment of the United States military forces in the Middle East.