The three countries started joint naval exercises in the Indian Ocean in 2019 (Representational)
State TV reported that Iran, China and Russia held their third joint naval exercise in the northern Indian Ocean on Friday.
The navies of Iran’s Armed Forces and Revolutionary Guards are participating in the exercise “2022 Maritime Security Belt” over an area of 17,000 square kilometers (6,560 sq mi), Rear Admiral Mustafa Tajoldini, spokesman for the exercise, told state TV.
The exercise will include various tactical exercises such as rescue of a burning ship, release of hijacked ship and shooting at air targets at night.
He said the exercise began in the early hours of Friday morning.
Tajoldini said that the three countries began joint naval exercises in the Indian Ocean and the Oman Sea in 2019.
“The aim of the exercise is to strengthen security in the region and its foundations, and to expand multilateral cooperation between the three countries to jointly support world peace, maritime security, and create a maritime community with a common future.” ,” said Tajoldini.
Since taking power last June, Iran’s staunch President Ibrahim Raisi has adopted a “look east” policy to deepen ties with China and Russia. Tehran joined the Shanghai Cooperation Organization in September, a Central Asian security body led by Beijing and Moscow.
Foreign Minister Hossein Amirbadullahian visited China last week and Iran’s president met his Russian counterpart in Moscow on Thursday.
(Except for the title, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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