MOSCOW, March 11. /TASS/. A detachment of ships from Russia’s Pacific Fleet led by the Varyag guard missile cruiser has arrived in Iran's Chah Bahar port to take part in the joint naval exercise ‘Maritime Security Belt - 2024,’ the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"Russian vessels will participate in the joint naval exercise ‘Maritime Security Belt - 2024’. It will also involve ships, boats and naval aviation of Iran and China. Representatives of the navies of Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Oman, India and South Africa will act as observers," the ministry said.

According to it, the practical part of the drills will be held in the waters of the Gulf of Oman in the Arabian Sea. The main purpose of the maneuvers is to work out the security of maritime economic activities, it said.

The ministry added that in addition to the Varyag guard missile cruiser, the Marshal Shaposhnikov frigate, two warships and a supply ship of the Chinese Navy, as well as more than ten ships, boats, support vessels and three helicopters of the Iranian Navy will be involved in the drills.