Iranian and Russian media quoted Rear Admiral Shahram Irani, commander of Iran’s navy, as saying that the drills would be held before the end of March and were aimed at “regional security”.
According to Iran’s Tasnim news agency – which called the drills a “war game” – Irani said a number of other countries had been invited to take part in the exercise.
US tipped to press China on Houthi Red Sea attacks in talks in Thailand
US tipped to press China on Houthi Red Sea attacks in talks in Thailand
China has not formally condemned the Houthis. But according to Reuters, Chinese officials have asked their Iranian counterparts to help rein in attacks on ships in the Red Sea carried out by the group.
Iran’s Islamic Republic News Agency first reported on the joint exercise with Russia and China in December. But at that time, Irani did not elaborate on when the drills would take place. The Iranian commander said then that Pakistan, Brazil, Oman, India and South Africa were among the countries invited as observers.
Last year’s iteration – named “Security Bond-2023” – ran for five days and involved live-fire suppression and strike precision . The navies also conducted anti-terrorism and anti-piracy training, including a simulated rescue mission to a hijacked merchant ship.
Iran’s light frigate Jamaran and the Russian frigate Admiral Gorshkov, which is armed with hypersonic missiles, took part in the exercise.
There has not been a formal announcement from either China or Russia on this year’s drill.