Iran’s war ships of Iran, China and Russia began the annual joint exercises in the Gulf of Oman on Monday (10), reflending military ties while US President Donald Trump overthrow longtime western alliances.
The “Security Belt-2025” exercises, which take place near Chabahar’s Iranian port, are the fifth joint naval exercise that Iran, China and Russia have been performing since 2019, according to Chinese state media.
Analysts have long seen exercises as a demonstration of the growing partnership between the three authoritarian powers as they seek to compensate for US influence and challenge the global order led by the West.
But this year, the optics is even more pronounced, as Trump interrupts the transatlantic alliance – a cornerstone of western security for decades – and pressing the Asian allies to pay more for US protection.
Asked about the exercises on Sunday (9), the US president said he “is not at all” concerned with the demonstration of strength of the three opponents of the United States.
“We are stronger than all of them. We have more power than all of them, ”he told Fox News aboard Air Force One.
Concerns have been increasing in Washington about the emerging strategic partnership between Russia, Iran and North Korea, which US legislators have described as a “axis of authoritarianism, autocrats and dictators.”
Fear is that a shared hostility over the United States is increasingly leading these countries to work together – amplifying the threat that any of them alone represents for Washington or allies, not only in one region, but perhaps in various parts of the world at the same time.
At the same time, the president of the one talking directly to Moscow while leaving Kiev and the European allies aside.
The military relationship between Russia and North Korea has strengthened considerably in the last year, with both
The exercises also happen in the midst of
Great pressure from the United States
Since returning to the White House, Donald Trump has restored what he calls, which includes efforts to reduce oil to zero exports in an attempt to prevent Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon – a movement denounced by Tehran as “intimidation” tactic.
Oman’s Gulf is a crucial gateway that connects the Indian Ocean and the Ormuz Strait, through which more than a quarter of the sea marketed oil is passed.
The United States maintains its own significant presence in the region through the fifth fleet, which is based on neighboring Bahrain.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has reported that the sets will involve 15 combat vessels, support vessels and gunmen, as well as helicopters, according to state news agency Tass.
“The Russian side is represented by the Corvetas Rezky and Russian Hero Aldar Tsydenzhapov and the Pucific Puchenega Picker,” the ministry said.
Meanwhile, China sent the type 052D guided missile destroyer baotou and the Gayouhu supply ship from a nearby naval escort task force to participate in the exercise, the Chinese Ministry of Defense said in a statement.
The exercises, with the objective of “increasing military trust and strengthening practical cooperation”, will include simulated attacks on maritime targets,-bust visit operations and search and rescue exercises, the ministry added.
Iran sent a running of stealthy missiles and a patrol ship, according to Iranian state media.
