This week, China, alongside Russia and Iran, conducted “Maritime Security Belt 2024,” a five-day joint military exercise in the Gulf of Oman, a passage near the Persian Gulf’s entrance. The drills, involving naval and aviation forces, reportedly aimed at enhancing maritime economic activity security, as stated by Russia’s Ministry of Defense.
Over 20 ships, including combat and support vessels, navy helicopters, and the introduction of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) new warships like the Shahid Soleimani corvette, participated. The Shahid Soleimani is notably equipped with advanced vertical launching systems (VLS) for both surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles, marking an upgrade in Iran’s naval capabilities.
Analysts view these exercises as part of a broader strategy by China, Russia, and Iran to assert their influence and challenge Western dominance in strategic areas. The drills are seen as a response to heightened U.S. military engagement in the Middle East, including efforts to normalize Israel-Saudi ties and recent NATO exercises signaling strong Western military coordination.
The joint exercise underscores the deepening military cooperation among China, Russia, and Iran, with implications for regional security dynamics and global maritime trade routes, particularly in light of the recent increase in attacks on shipping in the Red Sea. The Gulf of Oman, a critical point for global oil shipments, has been a focal point of tension, with the U.S. attributing a series of attacks and ship seizures since 2019 to Iran.
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